Comparison

Falken EMS vs PilotGuard

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

Head to head
About

Falken EMS

Features
Read full description

The Falken EMS app displays aircraft engine data collected by the Falken EMS hardware. It can connect directly to v3 EMS hardware over a Bluetooth link. It also works with the Falken FlightView system, connecting to the Flight Data Computer (FDC) via Wifi. The application can be run by itself or in split-view mode with another application - typically an Electronic Flight Bag app.

About

PilotGuard

This tool helps pilots make informed go/no-go decisions for every flight by assessing risks using the FAA's FRAT and PAVE frameworks. It automatically fetches live weather data and allows users to set personal minimums for a comprehensive pre-flight evaluation.

Highlights
  • FAA FRAT and PAVE framework integration
  • Live METAR and TAF weather data fetching
  • Automated weather pre-filling
  • Customizable personal minimums
  • Runway analysis with crosswind/tailwind components
  • FAA-sourced risk mitigation suggestions
  • Flight history and trend tracking
Features
Read full description

PilotGuard brings the FAA's Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) and PAVE framework to your iPhone and iPad — so every flight starts with a clear, structured go/no-go decision. HOW IT WORKS Enter your departure and arrival airports plus your estimated time of departure. PilotGuard instantly fetches live METAR and TAF data from NOAA and pre-fills your weather questions automatically. Answer the remaining questions across the four PAVE categories — Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External Pressures — and get a risk score in seconds. LIVE WEATHER, BUILT IN No manual lookups. PilotGuard pulls real-time METAR and TAF for both your departure and arrival airports and maps the conditions directly to your assessment. Departure weather, en-route forecast, winds, and time of flight are all pre-filled based on what's actually happening outside. PERSONAL MINIMUMS Set your own limits — maximum crosswind, headwind, and tailwind, minimum runway length, VFR ceiling and visibility, and fuel reserves. PilotGuard checks every flight against your minimums and flags violations clearly in your results, so you're always flying within your personal envelope. RUNWAY ANALYSIS Select your departure and arrival runways and PilotGuard calculates the exact crosswind and tailwind components based on current winds — not just total wind speed. Includes density altitude so you know what your aircraft is actually performing against. FAA-SOURCED RISK MITIGATIONS When any PAVE category scores Moderate or High, PilotGuard surfaces FAA-sourced antidotes specific to that risk area — practical mitigations, not generic advice. FLIGHT HISTORY Every completed assessment is saved to your history. Review past flights, see how conditions compared to your minimums, and track your risk trends over time. BUILT FOR GENERAL AVIATION PILOTS PilotGuard is designed for student pilots building decision-making habits and experienced pilots who want a structured pre-flight discipline. It follows the same 18-question FRAT methodology recommended by the FAA, organized across the four PAVE categories. No account required. No subscription. Your data stays on your device.

Screenshots

Falken EMS4 screens
PilotGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Falken EMS at none against PilotGuard's 3. On price, 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

Both are free to download. PilotGuard sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Falken EMS asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Falken EMS versus PilotGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFalken EMSPilotGuard
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 8 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFalken Avionics, LLCEdwin Coronado

In-app purchases

None

Falken EMS

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

PilotGuard

One-time3
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Large Tip$4.99

Questions

Is Falken EMS free?
Falken EMS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PilotGuard free?
PilotGuard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Falken EMS or PilotGuard have ads?
Neither Falken EMS nor PilotGuard shows ads.

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