E6B Descent Planner vs Hughes App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
E6B Descent Planner
This tool offers a digital circular slide rule for pilots to perform real-time descent planning. It calculates crucial metrics like top of descent distance, descent angle, and glide ratio with simple one-finger operation.
- Digital circular slide rule
- Real-time descent planning
- Top of descent distance calculation
- Descent angle calculation
- Vertical descent rate calculation
- Glide ratio calculation
- Maximum glide distance calculation
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The E6B Descent Planner provides a fully functional circular slide rule for use in real time descent planning. Using one finger, and with a single turn of the rotating inner disk, pilots can easily perform calculations to determine top of descent distance, angle of descent, vertical descent rate required, glide ratio, maximum glide distance based on altitude, plus many other calculations that are not commonly associated with a mechanical E6B.
Hughes App
This navigation app provides pilots with essential flight data, including dynamic maps, georeferenced charts, and real-time weather updates. It offers comprehensive aeronautical information and robust safety tools for flight planning and execution.
- Dynamic moving maps
- Georeferenced charts
- Aeronautical data access
- Real-time weather updates
- Safety reporting tools
- Personalized service requests
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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!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Hughes App at 4.9 against E6B Descent Planner's 3.5. Hughes App also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months). E6B Descent Planner's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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.
Hughes App holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 8 respectively.
E6B Descent Planner ships an update every 9 months, Hughes App fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | E6B Descent Planner | Hughes App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (14 ratings) | 4.9 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 37 MB | 494 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Arthur Varrassi | HUGHES Aerospace |
Customer experience
E6B Descent Planner
Hughes App
In-app purchases
E6B Descent Planner
No in-app purchases
Hughes App
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is E6B Descent Planner free?
Is Hughes App free?
Which has better reviews, E6B Descent Planner or Hughes App?
Do E6B Descent Planner or Hughes App have ads?
Which is updated more often, E6B Descent Planner or Hughes App?
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