Comparison

FlightBag vs HM | DC

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

FlightBag

Access essential aviation weather data including METARs, TAFs, and various weather charts. Features include airport information, route planning weather, unit conversion, and a world map with navigation aids. Offline access is available for specific regions and charts.

Highlights
  • METAR, TAF, and airport information
  • Weather charts (Significant Weather, Synoptic)
  • Offline map with navigation aids
  • Unit converter for aviation metrics
  • Sunrise/sunset and time zone data
  • Watch app and widget support
Features
Read full description

FlightBag (Pilot Weather & Tools) - METAR, TAF, Runway and Station Information - Significant Weather Charts - Synoptic Surface Pressure Charts - Wind and Temperature Charts - Satellite Images - World Map with all Airports - Waypoints, VOR's and NDB's in Europe - European Region available for offline download - Sunrise Sunset Times (UTC/Local) - Converter for all important aviation units - Live UTC Clock & Local Time for all Airports - Widget, Watch App + Widget Extension Flight Weather Page - Allows for selection of Departure, Destination and Eight Alternate Airports. Each airport shows key information such as: - METAR - TAF - Runway Information - Elevation Enroute Weather Page - Downloads METAR and TAF for all Airports within 100nm of route between Departure and Destination Airports. Runway Length filter can be applied and range extended to 300nm either side of track. Weather Charts - Available for Offline use with one click. Available Charts: - Significant Weather - Synoptic Surface Pressure - Wind and Temperature - Satellite Images Map Page - Contains a World Map with all Airports, European Region contains Waypoints, VOR's and NDB's and can be downloaded in settings for offline use. Converter - Allows Conversion of: - Temperature - Speed/Distance - Airspeed/Mach Number - Mass/Volume/Fuel Subscription Information: We offer Monthly and Yearly Subscriptions, the subscriptions gives you full access to the app and all contents, this includes iPad, iPhone, Watch App, Watch App Extension and Widget. Subscription Payments Subscription payment will be charged to your iTunes Account once your confirm your purchase. Your iTunes account will be charged again when your subscription automatically renews at the end of your current subscription period, unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours prior to end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your auto-renewable subscription in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase. Subscriptions are non-refundable and will run until the expiry date once cancelled. Terms of Service: https://aeronotion.net/terms/

About

HM | DC

Control your model train DC layout wirelessly using Bluetooth. Manage multiple circuits, locomotive speed, braking, sounds, and accessories like signals and lights. Plan your track layouts with an integrated builder.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth low energy control
  • Independent control of 2 circuits
  • Locomotive speed and braking control
  • Loco sound and inertia features
  • Accessory control (signals, lights)
  • Integrated track layout planner
Features
Read full description

App Based Analogue Control From now on there is no need for the controller to be tethered to the track because by using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology Hornby’s HM6000 control system can operate a DC layout with consummate ease. The HM6000 system not only provides simple control of two circuits but also features inertia and braking control, loco sounds, minimum and maximum speed control plus an intuitive layout planning feature Utilising both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Bluetooth Mesh Network architecture, developed by Hornby, the HM6000 provides a stable and responsive system that becomes increasingly efficient the more a model layout develops. The App based HM|DC system is built around two pieces of hardware which form the key elements of the set up and these are the HM6000 App Circuit Controller and the HM6010 App Operating Accessory unit. The HM6000 is paired with the HM|DC application on a smartphone or tablet and provides control of up to 2 circuits independent of each other. Up to 4 HM6000 units can be linked to the application which consequently provides control of 8 independent circuits via one device be it a smartphone or tablet. Similarly, the HM6010 is also paired with the HM|DC application on a smartphone or tablet and that in turn allows for the control of up to 4 accessories be they continuous current such as used for lighting or a quick burst of power used to operate a point motor. Up to three HM6010 units can be linked to the application providing control of up to twelve accessories from one smartphone or tablet. Locomotive Control The HM6000 DC application is simple and straightforward to use and includes many features not included in other DC controllers, for example, the HM6000 not only controls a locomotives speed and direction but also the braking of the model which can be incrementally applied. An ‘Emergency Stop & Resume’ function are also featured to immediately halt all circuits at the touch of a virtual button, this allowing for an effective pause time to alter settings before resuming with new settings in place. Accessory Control The HM6010 DC operating accessory unit provides multiple ways of controlling accessories including those that require a constant current or others that function from receiving a short burst of power. HM6010 allows the user to flick between Red, Green or Off for signal lights, On or Off for street or model house lighting plus providing constant power for accessories such as turntables. Points and certain other accessories require a quick pulse of current and this too can be provided by the HM6010 App. These operations can be activated via the dedicated accessories screen on a smartphone or tablet or through using the accessory toolbar that is integrated into the circuit control screen. Track Builder Integrated into the HM|DC application is a very useful function that provides the facility to plan and build numerous layouts while at the same time listing the components required as the virtual layout takes shape. Short Circuit Detection An innovative and rapid short circuit detection system included in the HM6000 software can quickly detect a short circuit and providing that the short has been removed, the system can once again become ‘live’ with a touch of a virtual button. Such a function can prove to be very useful should a locomotive move from one circuit to another which may be operating with opposite polarities. Such an action will cause a short circuit which can quickly and easily be corrected by altering a directional button on the circuit control screen. R7292 - HM6000 App Circuit Control • Controls 2 circuits* • Speed control • Includes 18 individual locomotive sounds • Track builder *Control up to 8 circuits – additional HM6000 controllers required.

Screenshots

FlightBag4 screens
HM | DC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HM | DC at none against FlightBag's 2. HM | DC also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). FlightBag's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 9 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. FlightBag sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. HM | DC asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FlightBag ships an update every 5 days, HM | DC every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and June 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FlightBag versus HM | DC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlightBagHM | DC
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better70.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size93 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAero Notion LimitedHornby Hobbies Ltd

Customer experience

FlightBag

All ratings12 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%

HM | DC

Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral30.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

FlightBag

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$19.991 Year
None

HM | DC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FlightBag free?
FlightBag is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HM | DC free?
HM | DC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FlightBag or HM | DC have ads?
Neither FlightBag nor HM | DC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FlightBag or HM | DC?
FlightBag ships an update every 5 days, and HM | DC every 9 months. Most recently, FlightBag was updated on September 10, 2026 and HM | DC on June 3, 2026.

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