Hughes App vs AvNav
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Hughes App
This aviation app provides USHST members with dynamic moving maps, georeferenced charts, and comprehensive aeronautical data. It offers live weather updates, exclusive content, and robust safety tools for reporting issues and requesting services.
- Dynamic moving maps
- Georeferenced charts
- Aeronautical data access
- Live weather updates
- Safety reporting tools
- Exclusive member content
Read full descriptionHide full description
Unlock the Sky with HUGHES: The Essential EFB for USHST Members Elevate your aviation experience with the HUGHES app, proudly presented by the HUGHES Aerospace Corporation exclusively for US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) members. As a comprehensive electronic flight bag (EFB), this app offers dynamic moving maps and georeferenced charts, ensuring you always have the most accurate flight data at your fingertips. Key Features Include: • Advanced EFB Capabilities: Navigate confidently with dynamic moving maps and georeferenced charts that integrate seamlessly into your flight planning. • Comprehensive Aeronautical Data: Access FAA VFR, IFR, Terminal Procedures, ZK Routes, airport details, and more. • Live Updates: Stay informed with real-time NOTAMS, METARs, TAFs, Weather Radar, and FAA Weather Cameras. • Exclusive Content for HUGHES Customers: Benefit from Special Instrument Procedures (SIAPs) and associated NOTAMS, specifically designed for your navigation requirements. • Robust Safety Tools: Enhance your operational safety with tools for reporting obstacles, navigation data issues, chart changes, and safety or security concerns—either directly or anonymously. • Personalized Services: Request Instrument Approaches, Surveys, Flight Inspections, or Heliport Inspections directly through the app. • Become a Member: You can also become a USHST member for free right within the app, unlocking additional resources and community support. The HUGHES app is your all-in-one resource for navigating the skies safely and efficiently. Download today to take full control of your flight preparation and execution, and join a community dedicated to helicopter safety!
AvNav
This navigation app offers advanced 3D airspace visualization and AI-assisted flight planning for pilots. It provides essential Electronic Flight Bag tools, including charts, weather, and traffic, with live ATC transcription and simulator support.
- 3D airspace and terrain visualization
- AI-assisted flight planning
- Live ATC audio and transcription
- ADS-B traffic display
- Offline maps and charts
- Weight and balance calculations
- X-Plane simulator integration
Read full descriptionHide full description
See airspace in 3D. Read ATC — not just hear it. Plan around weather with AI. AvNav is a complete Electronic Flight Bag built for pilots flying in U.S. airspace. It combines the everyday EFB tools pilots expect — charts, plates, airport diagrams, aircraft profiles, weight and balance, checklists, weather, ADS-B traffic, flight logging, logbook, replay, and offline data — with advanced 3D visualization, live ATC transcription, simulator support, and AI-assisted flight planning. Start with a free ground-mode preview, then unlock full cockpit capabilities with a CoPilot subscription. FREE GROUND MODE — EXPLORER Explore AvNav before subscribing. • Live ATC audio and transcription • Real-time ADS-B traffic • 3D airspace and terrain visualization • Airport and traffic awareness from the ground COPILOT — FULL EFB Unlock the complete AvNav cockpit experience. • AI-assisted flight planning and route analysis • FAA charts, plates, and airport diagrams • Offline maps, charts, plates, and airport data • Aircraft performance profiles • Weight and balance • Aircraft checklists • Fuel price information • Flight logging • Logbook entries • Recorded flight review and replay • PFD display support • X-Plane simulator integration • ADS-B receiver integration, including Stratux-compatible devices BUILT FOR DAY-TO-DAY FLYING AvNav now supports the core workflows pilots expect from an everyday EFB: plan the flight, review airports and weather, use aircraft-specific data, manage checklists, calculate weight and balance, fly with ADS-B traffic and weather, record flights, review them afterward, and build logbook entries. ADVANCED 3D COCKPIT AWARENESS AvNav goes beyond flat maps. • 3D satellite terrain across U.S. airspace • 3D airspace visualization • ADS-B traffic display • Weather overlays including NEXRAD and METARs • Live ATC transcription where supported • Fused navigation from GPS, ADS-B, X-Plane, and replay sources • PFD support when attitude data is available FLIGHT LOGGING, LOGBOOK, AND REPLAY Record, review, and replay your flights. • Automatic and manual flight logging • Recorded flight list • Flight replay with play, pause, seek, rate, loop, and review controls • Replay feeds the same navigation system used by the map and PFD • Create and edit logbook entries • Link recorded flights to logbook entries X-PLANE SIMULATOR SUPPORT Use X-Plane at home to test AvNav before flying. • Connect AvNav to X-Plane over your local network • Drive the 3D map and PFD from simulator data • Record simulator flights • Replay simulator flights for review and testing OFFLINE-FIRST Download the data you need before flight. • Maps • Charts • Plates • Airport diagrams • Airport and navigation data Continue navigating when cockpit connectivity is limited or unavailable. SUBSCRIPTION • Monthly and annual CoPilot plans • Includes a 30-day trial • Auto-renews unless canceled AvNav brings complete EFB utility, 3D situational awareness, AI planning, live ATC transcription, ADS-B traffic, flight logging, logbook, replay, and simulator testing together in one cockpit system. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Hughes App at 4.9 against AvNav's 4.2. Hughes App also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. AvNav sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $149.99 per year. Hughes App asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hughes App holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively.
Hughes App ships an update fortnightly, AvNav every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hughes App | AvNav |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better | 4.2 (5 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 489 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | HUGHES Aerospace | AvNav, LLC |
Customer experience
Hughes App
AvNav
In-app purchases
Hughes App
No in-app purchases
AvNav
- CoPIlot Founder Edition$149.991 Year









