Comparison

FAR/AIM by ASA vs ATPL Dictionary

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

Head to head
About

FAR/AIM by ASA

Access comprehensive aviation regulations and information, including the FAR, AIM, and Pilot/Controller Glossary. Features include free updates, text search, study by certificate, and customizable reading options. Stay current with daily FAA changes.

Highlights
  • Free updates
  • Complete FAR/AIM content
  • Study by certificate
  • Text search functionality
  • Customizable reading options
  • Highlight and bookmark text
Features
Read full description

ASA has built a reputation for providing the aviation community with the most accurate and reliable FAR/AIM products available. The FAR/AIM app continues this tradition, containing information from Titles 14 and 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 and 49 CFR) pertinent to pilots, flight instructors, flight crew, and aviation mechanics, combined with the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and Pilot/Controller Glossary. ASA FAR/AIM app features: • Free Updates provided. • All of the ASA FAR/AIM, FAR for Flight Crew, and FAR for Aviation Maintenance Technician book contents are included: 14 CFR Parts 1, 3, 5, 13, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 43, 45, 47, 48, 61, 63, 65, 67, 68, 71, 73, 89, 91, 97, 103, 105, 107, 110, 111, 117, 119, 120, 121, 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 141, 142, 145, 147, 183, 194; 49 CFR Parts 172, 175, and 830; TSA 1544 and 1552; • The complete Aeronautical Information Manual including color figures. • Includes Advisory Circulars (AC) 20-62, 20-109, 21-12, 39-7, 43-9, 43.9-1, 65-30, Feedback Form. • Pilot/Controller Glossary included. • Study by Certificate lists for Private, Remote, Sport, Instrument/CFII, Commercial, Flight Instructor, Flight Engineer, and ATP allows aviators to hone their studies to the pertinent rules for their individual certificate and operation. • Text search helps you find what you’re looking for in the FAR, AIM, Advisory Circulars or all. • Profile and Landscape viewing available for easy reading and viewing figures. • Ability to increase text size. • Highlight and bookmark text to create your own study tools. ASA tracks FAA changes daily and updates the app when regulations and AIM changes affect pilot operations. The date shown for the app's update reflects the last regulatory change affecting content. A new update will be released when a rule change affects operations. None of the material in this publication supersedes any documents, procedures, or regulations issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ASA does not claim copyright on any material included herein that was taken from United States government sources; all contents originate from the FAA.

About

ATPL Dictionary

This aviation reference app provides over 1000 definitions and 900 abbreviations related to the Airline Transport Pilot License syllabus. It covers a wide range of aviation subjects, making it a valuable tool for pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike. Purchases can be synced across devices using iCloud.

Highlights
  • 1000+ definitions
  • 900+ abbreviations
  • ATPL syllabus subjects
  • iCloud sync
  • Aviation reference
Features
Read full description

ATPL Dictionary is a must-have aviation reference with more than 30,000 users worldwide, with over 1000 definitions and 900 abbreviations in the full version. If you're an aviation enthusiast or aviation curious, there's plenty here for you too. Definitions are based on subjects in the Airline Transport Pilot License syllabus, such as: - Radio Navigation - Meteorology - Airframes - Operational Procedures - Human Performance and Limitations - Mass & Balance - Instrumentation - Principles of Flight - Aircraft Performance - Flight Planning - General Navigation - Air Law - VFR Communications - IFR Communications - iCloud sync: Sync your purchase across all your devices.

Screenshots

FAR/AIM by ASA4 screens
ATPL Dictionary2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ATPL Dictionary at $1.99 against FAR/AIM by ASA's $19.95. ATPL Dictionary also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (72% vs 35%). FAR/AIM by ASA's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#4 vs unranked). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

FAR/AIM by ASA costs $19.95 and ATPL Dictionary $1.99 up front. ATPL Dictionary sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FAR/AIM by ASA asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ATPL Dictionary holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 249 and 81 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of FAR/AIM by ASA's written reviews are positive against 72% of ATPL Dictionary's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FAR/AIM by ASA ships an update every 5 months, ATPL Dictionary every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
FAR/AIM by ASA versus ATPL Dictionary: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFAR/AIM by ASAATPL Dictionary
Price$19.95$1.99 — better
Rating3.4 (249 ratings)4.7 (81 ratings) — better
Positive reviews34.5% of reviews71.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings249 — better81
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#4 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperASALybron Sobers

Customer experience

FAR/AIM by ASA

All ratings249 ratings
Positive50.2%
Neutral18.1%
Negative31.7%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive34.5%
Neutral23.0%
Negative42.5%

ATPL Dictionary

All ratings81 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive71.7%
Neutral7.5%
Negative20.8%

Bugs and requests

FAR/AIM by ASA

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • Search function returns too many irrelevant results or zero results
  • Highlights disappear after app updates
  • Highlights move randomly within text
  • App resets to home screen when switching apps
  • Bookmarks show blank pages
Show 11 more
  • Duplicate regulation entries appearing
  • Search function only works with exact word matches
  • Partial word searches return no results
  • Study by Certificate search function disabled
  • Font size adjustment buttons (A+/A-) non-functional
  • Search bar hidden under ASA logo
  • Regulations sometimes fail to open
  • Highlights from different sections mixed together
  • Content not updating with latest FAR/AIM changes
  • Performance degradation after updates
  • Chapter titles cut off with no expansion option

Requested features

19 requests
  • Cloud sync for highlights and bookmarks across devices
  • Note-taking and annotation capabilities
  • Multiple highlight colors
  • Dark mode for text content
  • Adjustable font size slider
Show 14 more
  • Apple Pencil support for handwriting
  • Custom bookmark titles/labels
  • Ability to organize bookmarks into folders
  • Hyperlinks between related regulations
  • Changelog/update notes for each version
  • Mac app optimization for larger displays
  • Printable pages
  • Add missing FAR parts (31, 47, 93, 95, etc.)
  • Improved search with phrase matching
  • Search highlighting within results
  • Table of Contents browsing
  • Proper indentation for subparts
  • Ability to unhighlight text
  • Dynamic Text support

ATPL Dictionary

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

FAR/AIM by ASA

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ATPL Dictionary

One-time1
  • ATPL Aviation Dictionary Full Version$0.99

Questions

Is FAR/AIM by ASA free?
FAR/AIM by ASA costs $19.95, with no in-app purchases.
Is ATPL Dictionary free?
ATPL Dictionary costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, FAR/AIM by ASA or ATPL Dictionary?
ATPL Dictionary is rated higher. FAR/AIM by ASA averages 3.4 out of 5 from 249 ratings, while ATPL Dictionary averages 4.7 from 81 ratings.
Do FAR/AIM by ASA or ATPL Dictionary have ads?
Neither FAR/AIM by ASA nor ATPL Dictionary shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FAR/AIM by ASA or ATPL Dictionary?
FAR/AIM by ASA ships an update every 5 months, and ATPL Dictionary every 9 days. Most recently, FAR/AIM by ASA was updated on October 17, 2026 and ATPL Dictionary on October 13, 2026.

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