2026 guide

Best paragliding and paramotor app in Brazil

Updated 15 Oct 2026 · checked against each app's store listing and official site

For pilots flying in Brazil, XC Fly is the most complete free-flight app in 2026: among XC Fly, Gaggle, XCTrack and Flyskyhy it is the only one that runs on iOS, Android and web, brings official DECEA NOTAMs and airspace on the free plan, and has group XC with rescue mode and a module for flight schools. Gaggle is the closest alternative (also in Portuguese, NOTAMs and groups on its US$ 59/yr plan); XCTrack is the competition reference, Android only; Flyskyhy is the configurable iPhone choice.

What a free-flight app has to do

Four jobs, and most pilots use three: record the flight by itself (take-off and landing detected, IGC valid for XContest and leagues), instrument (barometric vario, altimeter, speed, wind), warn (airspace, NOTAMs, obstacles, traffic, live tracking for whoever stays on the ground) and connect (sites, forecast, group, school). In Brazil the third item weighs more: restricted areas change by NOTAM and the pilot needs the official source, DECEA, not a generic database.

The four apps side by side

✓ = feature advertised on each app's store listing or official site on 15 Oct 2026 (flygaggle.com/plans, xctrack.org, flyskyhy.com); — = not advertised. Prices as published by each vendor, no conversion. Found something different? contato@xcfly.com.br.

Android or iPhone: the first filter

Two of the four exist on one system only. Android pilots choose among XC Fly, Gaggle and XCTrack; iPhone pilots among XC Fly, Gaggle and Flyskyhy. Mixed-phone groups that want to see each other's position are left with XC Fly and Gaggle — and only XC Fly has a web version (app.xcfly.com.br) for whoever follows from a computer.

Brazilian NOTAMs and airspace

XC Fly reads DECEA NOTAMs via AISWEB and shows 734 airspace polygons (openAIP), 3,702 aerodromes and 12,179 obstacles, all on the free plan and downloadable by region for flying without signal. Gaggle advertises "airspace awareness and NOTAM advisories" on its Frequent Flyer plan; XCTrack uses the XContest airspace server; Flyskyhy sells airspace as an in-app purchase. Before deciding, open your home site in each one and check that the restricted area you know is there.

What it really costs

All four have free basic use except Flyskyhy, which is paid. XC Fly gives you an account, automatic recording, logbook, site map, NOTAMs and feed without a card; XC Fly Pro is an optional in-app subscription, price shown in the store. Gaggle charges US$ 59/yr for the plan with NOTAMs, groups and replay and US$ 89/yr for power lines, radar and 3D. XCTrack is free with a paid Pro. Compare the yearly cost with what the app replaces: a traffic receiver, a forecast service, a site guide.

How to choose, by pilot type

First season

Reliable recording, a simple screen, live tracking for the family. Any free plan works; decide by phone. On XC Fly the account takes 30 seconds and the cockpit already has vario, altimeter and airspace.

Local soaring and weekend XC

Barometric vario, airspace warning before entry, IGC for XContest. XC Fly and Gaggle deliver that on both systems; XCTrack on Android.

Paramotor

Live traffic, obstacles and power lines, wind aloft, engine data and the group on the same map. XC Fly reads the Insight V3 over Bluetooth (RPM, temperatures, lambda) and shows 12,179 obstacles; Gaggle has power lines on its Adventurer plan.

Competition and serious XC

A dedicated instrument (Flymaster, Oudie, Skytraxx) for the task, an app for log, replay and sharing. XCTrack and Flyskyhy are the most configurable in the air; XC Fly and Gaggle import IGC from those instruments.

Schools and instructors

Only XC Fly has its own module: students, documents, certificates and students' flights shared with the instructor.

Ground test before the first flight

• Lift the phone sharply and watch the vario lag — more than a second hurts in weak lift.
• Read the screen in the sun with polarised glasses.
• Start a recording, lock the screen, wait 10 minutes and confirm the track continued.
• Enable airplane mode and check that map and instruments still work.
• Share the live track with someone and ask what they see when you turn data off.
• Export an IGC and upload it to XContest to validate.

See also: XC Fly vs Gaggle (Portuguese) · what changed in the latest version.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best paragliding app for Android?

XC Fly, Gaggle and XCTrack. XC Fly is the only one of the three with DECEA NOTAMs on the free plan and a web version; XCTrack is the most used in competition; Gaggle has the most social live tracking. Flyskyhy does not exist for Android.

What is the best paragliding app for iPhone?

XC Fly, Gaggle and Flyskyhy. Flyskyhy is the most configurable; XC Fly and Gaggle run the same on Android, which matters for mixed-phone groups.

Is there a free-flight app with DECEA NOTAMs?

Yes: XC Fly reads the official DECEA NOTAMs via AISWEB and shows them on the map and in the cockpit, on the free plan. Gaggle advertises NOTAMs on its paid plan; XCTrack and Flyskyhy do not advertise NOTAMs.

Is XC Fly free?

Yes for creating an account, automatic recording, logbook, site map, NOTAMs and feed. XC Fly Pro is an optional in-app subscription, price shown in the store.

Can I switch apps without losing my flights?

Yes. All four export IGC; XC Fly imports IGC and GPX from XCTrack, Flyskyhy, FlyMe, NaviTrack, Oudie and others, so the history comes along.