AeroV vs CrewCall LTA
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AeroV
This service turns your smartphone into an extension of an aircraft's phone system, enabling voice calls and text messages over the aircraft's broadband internet. It integrates with various satellite networks and offers advanced call management features.
- VoIP calling over aircraft broadband
- Direct dialing from contacts
- Call waiting, hold, and 3-way conferencing
- Multiple call management
- Global One Number integration
- Satellite network compatibility
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AeroV® is a VoIP service that enables any smartphone to be an extension of the aircraft phone system. Satcom Direct's AeroV® service was the first Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution designed and built specifically for aviation. AeroV enables full featured voice calling using the aircraft broadband internet connection and your personal smartphone – no computer needed. Your phone becomes an extension of the aircraft phone system, allowing you to be reached directly through the Global One Number® (GON) and the extension you configure. Simply connect to the Wi-Fi on the aircraft to make calls from your phone’s contact list. Standard Features: * Direct dialing voice calls and text messages using your contacts * Features call waiting, call hold, and 3-way conference calling * Provides intuitive interface for multiple call management that gives you the ability to utilize phone contacts, swap, merge, split and transfer calls * Integrated with Global One Number® service for extension assignment * Integrated with SDR Gateway and Simphone * Works with Yonder®, Iridium, and Inmarsat satellite networks * Used on Yonder (SIP) & SBB streaming channels (IAX and AMBE2) * VPN Support * G.729 codec included in app * Support for DTMF: ability to enter numbers and use an auto attendant via RFC 2833, SIP INFO and Inband Supported Manufacturers: · AeroV® Gateway - Satcom Direct's exclusive VoIP service · Aircell GAC®- Aircell Axxess Transceiver Configuration for Gulfstream Aircraft · Aircell Axxess®- Aircell Axxess Transceiver · Aspire CSU-100 · EMS CCU - eNfusion® CCU-200 · EMS CNX - EMS CNX200-20 · Honeywell CG-710 - Honeywell's Communication Gateway Unit · Cobham · IridiumGo · SDR - Satcom Direct Router · SDR Gateway · SDR Gateway Legacy S/W · Simphonē product line Supported Operating System: · iOS 13 and above
CrewCall LTA
Facilitates communication and coordination for hot-air balloon pilots and organizers. Manage crew directories, send targeted messages, and track responses for event volunteers and ground teams.
- Master crew directory
- Organize crew into groups
- Prepare and send crew calls
- Private SMS with delivery status
- Collect availability responses
- Share hosted crew information
- Invite recruits via link/QR code
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Balloon Crew Call helps hot-air-balloon pilots and organizers coordinate ground crew, chase teams, and event volunteers from iPhone or iPad. Build a master crew directory, organize members into groups, prepare crew calls, and review recipients before sending. Use Apple Messages for familiar device-based texting, or use optional Private SMS with hosted crew members who have opted in. Private SMS provides delivery status, direct replies, and availability responses inside the app. Features include: • Add crew from Apple Contacts or create app-only entries • Create and edit saved crew groups • Prepare one group conversation or separate individual messages • Send tracked Private SMS to opted-in hosted crew • Collect availability and view dated responses • Share hosted crew information with authorized administrators • Save emergency-contact and waiver information • Invite recruits using a link or QR code • Review recipients before sending • Restore and manage Pilot Plus membership Apple Messages always opens Apple’s message composer for the user to review and confirm. The app cannot send Apple Messages silently or in the background. Recipients can use either iPhone or Android and do not need the app installed to receive SMS. Hosted recruiting, shared administration, responses, and Private SMS require a Crew Call membership and an internet connection. Local crew groups remain available on the device. Balloon Crew Call is a coordination aid and should not be the sole method for emergency or safety-critical communication. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: CrewCall LTA at every 2 weeks against AeroV's every 8 months. CrewCall LTA also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). AeroV's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CrewCall LTA holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.
AeroV ships an update every 8 months, CrewCall LTA every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.
| Parameter | AeroV | CrewCall LTA |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (3 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Satcom Direct | MICHAEL TED FIELDING |
Customer experience
AeroV
CrewCall LTA
In-app purchases
AeroV
No in-app purchases
CrewCall LTA
No in-app purchases









