Software · head to head
AviaSIM Pro vs ARINC Direct
AviaSIM Pro
Software
Professional flight simulation and pilot training platform
- From
- $179/session
- Rated
- -
ARINC Direct
Software
Real-time flight operations and dispatch platform
- From
- $500/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: AviaSIM Pro limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training; ARINC Direct no free trial available to evaluate platform before purchase commitment
- They diverge on capability: AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models, ARINC Direct covers Real-time flight tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AviaSIM Pro and ARINC Direct actually diverge.
| Attribute | AviaSIM Pro | ARINC Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $179/session | $500/month |
| Platforms | In-person facility | Web |
| Founded | 2012 | 1982 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in AviaSIM Pro
- High-fidelity flight models
- Real-time weather simulation
- Emergency procedure training
- Multi-crew coordination
- Performance analytics
- Flight deck hardware
- Motion platforms
- LMS systems
Only in ARINC Direct
- Real-time flight tracking
- Dispatch management
- Crew coordination
- Weather integration
- Maintenance scheduling
- ACARS systems
- Jeppesen flight planning
- ForeFlight
Both cover
- SOC 2 Type II certified
- Data encryption
- RBAC
- Audit logging
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
AviaSIM Pro
- Initial type ratingnot ARINC Direct
- Recurrent trainingnot ARINC Direct
- Emergency proceduresnot ARINC Direct
- CRM trainingnot ARINC Direct
- Proficiency checksnot ARINC Direct
ARINC Direct
- Flight dispatchnot AviaSIM Pro
- Crew managementnot AviaSIM Pro
- Weather monitoringnot AviaSIM Pro
- Maintenance coordinationnot AviaSIM Pro
- Regulatory compliancenot AviaSIM Pro
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
AviaSIM Pro
- Limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training
- Locations concentrated in specific cities, limiting accessibility for most potential users
- High session costs may be prohibitive for recreational learners ($179 minimum for 60 minutes)
ARINC Direct
- No free trial available to evaluate platform before purchase commitment
- Pricing structure lacks transparency with wide range of costs depending on user count
- Requires specialized training for regulatory compliance workflows
Pricing, plan by plan
AviaSIM Pro
$179/session- Discovery Package$179/60 min session
- Full-size commercial cockpit
- Professional instructor
- 180-degree HD displays
- Pilot Introductory Program$549/240 min session
- Half-day immersion
- Theory and hands-on practice
- Experienced instructor pilots
ARINC Direct
$500/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the ARINC Direct review.
Which should you pick?
Choose AviaSIM Pro if
- You need high-fidelity flight models.
- You work on In-person facility.
- You also want real-time weather simulation.
Choose ARINC Direct if
- You need real-time flight tracking.
- You also want dispatch management.
Questions people ask
- Is AviaSIM Pro or ARINC Direct better?
- Neither clearly leads. AviaSIM Pro starts at $179/session and ARINC Direct at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AviaSIM Pro or ARINC Direct?
- AviaSIM Pro starts at $179/session and ARINC Direct at $500/month.
- Does AviaSIM Pro or ARINC Direct run on more platforms?
- AviaSIM Pro runs on In-person facility. ARINC Direct runs on Web.
- What is AviaSIM Pro best used for?
- AviaSIM Pro is most often used for initial type rating, recurrent training, emergency procedures, crm training. Of those, initial type rating and recurrent training are not what ARINC Direct is typically brought in for.
- What can AviaSIM Pro do that ARINC Direct cannot?
- AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models, Real-time weather simulation, Emergency procedure training, Multi-crew coordination. ARINC Direct covers Real-time flight tracking, Dispatch management, Crew coordination, Weather integration. Both handle SOC 2 Type II certified, Data encryption, RBAC, Audit logging.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
AviaSIM Pro: What does an AviaSIM flight experience include?
An AviaSIM session puts you in a full-size commercial aircraft cockpit with 180-degree high-definition displays. You learn how airliners work, handle the controls, and experience takeoff, cruising, and landing under instructor guidance.
SourceARINC Direct: What is ARINC Direct designed for?
ARINC Direct is flight operations software for business aviation operators managing private and corporate aircraft, with tools for scheduling, compliance, crew recordkeeping, maintenance planning, and regulatory documentation.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: How long are AviaSIM sessions and what are the pricing options?
AviaSIM offers sessions ranging from 60 minutes (Discovery Package at $179) to 240 minutes (Pilot Introductory Program at $549). A Fear of Flying Therapy program with 97% success rate costs $389.
SourceARINC Direct: What key features does ARINC Direct provide?
Features include compliance management, labor cost reporting, logbook tracking, maintenance scheduling, automated diagnostics, AI-powered regulatory reporting, and real-time data monitoring with safety alerts.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: Where are AviaSIM locations available?
As of 2026, AviaSIM operates in 30+ cities worldwide including Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Denver, Houston, Dallas, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Orlando, with new openings planned in Raleigh, Minneapolis, and San Antonio.
SourceARINC Direct: Does ARINC Direct offer a free trial?
No. ARINC Direct does not offer a free trial or free version. Organizations must commit to a paid plan to access the platform.
SourceAviaSIM Pro: Can multiple people participate in a single AviaSIM session?
Yes. The Duo Package ($219 for 60 minutes) allows two people to share the cockpit experience together, and up to three free observers can watch from the cockpit.
SourceARINC Direct: What is the pricing for ARINC Direct?
Pricing is subscription-based and varies significantly by organization size. A small business with one user might pay around $500/month, while a 50-user setup could cost approximately $5,000/month. Enterprise pricing for 100+ users can exceed $10,000/month.
Source