Software · head to head
DUATS vs AviaSIM Pro
DUATS
Software
FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings
- From
- $9.95/month
- Rated
- -
AviaSIM Pro
Software
Professional flight simulation and pilot training platform
- From
- $179/session
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DUATS service has been discontinued as of May 2018; AviaSIM Pro limited to civilian flight simulation experience, not professional pilot certification training
- They diverge on capability: DUATS covers Flight briefings, AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DUATS and AviaSIM Pro actually diverge.
| Attribute | DUATS | AviaSIM Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9.95/month | $179/session |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | In-person facility |
| Founded | 1990 | 2012 |
Identical on both: 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 DUATS
- Flight briefings
- Weather data
- Flight planning
- Flight filing
- NOTAMs
- FAA systems
- Chart databases
- ATC integration
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
Both cover
- Weather services
- Data encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DUATS
- Flight briefingnot AviaSIM Pro
- Flight planningnot AviaSIM Pro
- Flight filingnot AviaSIM Pro
- Weather briefingnot AviaSIM Pro
AviaSIM Pro
- Initial type ratingnot DUATS
- Recurrent trainingnot DUATS
- Emergency proceduresnot DUATS
- CRM trainingnot DUATS
- Proficiency checksnot DUATS
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DUATS
- Service has been discontinued as of May 2018
- No longer available for flight planning or briefing
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)
Pricing, plan by plan
DUATS
$9.95/month- Basic$9.95/month
- Flight briefings
- Weather data
- Flight planning
- Premium$29.95/month
- All Basic features
- Advanced weather
- Priority briefings
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
Which should you pick?
Choose DUATS if
- You need flight briefings.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want weather data.
Choose AviaSIM Pro if
- You need high-fidelity flight models.
- You work on In-person facility.
- You also want real-time weather simulation.
Questions people ask
- Is DUATS or AviaSIM Pro better?
- Neither clearly leads. DUATS starts at $9.95/month and AviaSIM Pro at $179/session, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DUATS or AviaSIM Pro?
- DUATS starts at $9.95/month and AviaSIM Pro at $179/session.
- Does DUATS or AviaSIM Pro run on more platforms?
- DUATS runs on Web, Ios, Android. AviaSIM Pro runs on In-person facility.
- What is DUATS best used for?
- DUATS is most often used for flight briefing, flight planning, flight filing, weather briefing. Of those, flight briefing and flight planning are not what AviaSIM Pro is typically brought in for.
- What can DUATS do that AviaSIM Pro cannot?
- DUATS covers Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight planning, Flight filing. AviaSIM Pro covers High-fidelity flight models, Real-time weather simulation, Emergency procedure training, Multi-crew coordination. Both handle Weather services, Data encryption.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
DUATS: Is DUATS still available?
No. The FAA discontinued the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS II) on May 16, 2018.
SourceAviaSIM 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.
SourceDUATS: Did DUATS cost money?
No. DUATS was free to all registered U.S. pilots and student pilots holding a current medical certificate.
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.
SourceDUATS: What replaced DUATS?
Pilots now access internet-based weather, aeronautical information, and flight plan filing through the FAA flight service website at no charge.
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.
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.
Source