Comparison

TruAirspeed vs Handy Pilot

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

Head to head
About

TruAirspeed

This utility calculates true airspeed, pressure altitude, density altitude, and Mach number. It accounts for compressibility effects and offers unit choices and keypad styles. Users can also input a correction factor for their airspeed indicator.

Highlights
  • True airspeed calculation
  • Pressure and density altitude calculation
  • Mach number calculation
  • Compressibility effects accounted for
  • Choice of input/result units
  • Calculator or telephone keypad options
  • Airspeed indicator correction factor
Features
Read full description

TruAirspeed is a True Airspeed Calculator for the iPhone and iPad. It's a bit different from other true airspeed calculators, in which the pressure altitude is an input. This requires resetting the altimeter to the standard sea level pressure of 29.92"Hg to read the pressure altitude. With TruAirspeed, you input the indicated altitude and the Kollsman window's pressure setting — the app then calculates the pressure altitude, density altitude, true airspeed and mach number for you. The calculations involved take full account of compressibility effects, but not shock waves, so it's limited to subsonic, non-transonic flight only. You have a choice of units for inputs and results, and you may choose either a calculator-style keypad (top row: 7-8-9) or a telephone-style keypad (top row: 1-2-3). You may also set a correction factor for your bird's airspeed indicator/pitot-static system, if you know it (mine is 0.95).

About

Handy Pilot

This app offers a suite of aviation-specific calculation tools for pilots of all levels. It simplifies complex flight planning and in-flight adjustments with features like unit conversion, wind component calculation, and descent rate planning. Enhance your flight efficiency and safety with these essential tools.

Highlights
  • Unit Converter for flight operations
  • Time Calculator for flight planning
  • Turning Radius and STD Rate Turn calculations
  • Wind Component and Limitation calculators
  • Descent Rate and Path Angle calculators
  • ILS and PAPI indication calculations
  • Holding Entry Pattern and Load Factor calculations
Features
Read full description

"Handy Pilot" is designed to be used not only by trainees but also by professional pilots. It will become the best partner that can perform complex calculations on your behalf. With this app, your daily flight will definitely become smarter. Enjoy Handy Pilot and have a safe flight. Tools : "Unit Converter" - converts units used in everyday flight operations. "Time Calculator" - add, subtract, multiply, and divide time values. "Turning Radius" - calculates the turning radius based on speed and bank angle. "STD Rate Turn" - calculates the bank angle for making a standard rate turn. "Wind Component" - calculates the crosswind and headwind components. "Wind Limitation" - calculates the wind speed that can meet your limitation, in each wind direction. "Descent Rate" - calculates the descent rate required to maintain the desired path. "ILS Height Check" - calculates the passing altitude at the desired point based on the temperature at that time. "Path Calculator" - calculates the actual path angle based on the true altitude. "Descent Point" - calculates the starting point of descent to obtain the desired descent angle based on the true altitude. "PAPI" - calculates the altitude at which each PAPI indication can be obtained at the desired point. "ILS vs PAPI" - calculates the change in the PAPI indication during the ILS approach. "Entry Pattern" - calculates holding entry pattern based on heading. "Load Factor" - calculates the load factor based on the bank angle. It can also calculate the bank angle at which any load factor can be obtained. * Available on iOS 14.1 and later. * Purchase is required to use all the features.

Screenshots

TruAirspeed4 screens
Handy Pilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Handy Pilot at 5.0 against TruAirspeed's 4.1. Handy Pilot also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 24 months). TruAirspeed's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, 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. Handy Pilot sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TruAirspeed asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Handy Pilot holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TruAirspeed has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TruAirspeed ships an update every 24 months, Handy Pilot every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on June 2, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
TruAirspeed versus Handy Pilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTruAirspeedHandy Pilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 24 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJames PettyShin Nariai

Customer experience

TruAirspeed

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Handy Pilot

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

TruAirspeed

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Handy Pilot

One-time1
  • Unlock All Features$2.99

Questions

Is TruAirspeed free?
TruAirspeed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Handy Pilot free?
Handy Pilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TruAirspeed or Handy Pilot?
Handy Pilot is rated higher. TruAirspeed averages 4.1 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Handy Pilot averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do TruAirspeed or Handy Pilot have ads?
Handy Pilot shows ads; TruAirspeed does not.
Which is updated more often, TruAirspeed or Handy Pilot?
TruAirspeed ships an update every 24 months, and Handy Pilot every 3 days. Most recently, TruAirspeed was updated on June 2, 2026 and Handy Pilot on September 9, 2026.

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