ORA.FSTD.200 Application for FSTD qualification

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

(a) The application for an FSTD qualification certificate shall be made in a form and manner established by the competent authority:

(1) in the case of basic instrument training devices (BITDs), by the BITD manufacturer;

(2) in all other cases, by the organisation intending to operate the FSTD.

(b) Applicants for an initial qualification shall provide the competent authority with documentation demonstrating how they will comply with the requirements established in this Regulation. Such documentation shall include the procedure established to ensure compliance with ORA.GEN.130 and ORA.FSTD.230.

AMC1 ORA.FSTD.200 Application for FSTD qualification

ED Decision 2012/007/R

LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR INITIAL QUALIFICATION OF AN FSTD; EXCEPT BASIC INSTRUMENT TRAINING DEVICE (BITD)

A sample of letter of application is provided overleaf.

Part A

To be submitted not less than 3 months prior to requested qualification date

(Date)

(Office – Competent Authority)

(Address) ………………………………………………………

(City) …………………………………………………………….

(Country) ………………………………………………………

Interim Qualification Level requested: YES/NO

Dear,

<Name of Applicant> requests the evaluation of its flight simulation training device <operator’s identification of the FSTD> for qualification. The <FSTD manufacturer’s name> FSTD with its <visual system and manufacturer’s name, if applicable> visual system.

Evaluation is requested for the following configurations and engine fits as applicable:

e.g. 767 PW/GE and 757RR

1.....….......

2.....….......

3.....….......

Dates requested are: <date(s)> and the FSTD will be located at <place>.

The objective tests of the QTG will be submitted by <date> and in any event not less than 30 days before the requested evaluation date unless otherwise agreed with the competent authority.

Comments:

Signed

Print name:      …………………..

Position/appointment held:  …………………..

Email address:    …………………..

Telephone number:    …………………..

Part B

To be completed with attached QTG results

(Date) …………………………

We have completed tests of the FSTD and declare that it meets all applicable requirements except as noted below.

The following QTG tests still have to be provided:

(Add boxes as required)

It is expected that they will be completed and submitted 3 weeks prior to the evaluation date.

Signed

Print name:      …………………..

Position/appointment held:  …………………..

E-mail address:    …………………..

Telephone number:    …………………..

Part C

To be completed not less than 7 days prior to initial evaluation

(Date) …………………………

The FSTD has been assessed by the following evaluation team:

(Name) …………………………………………………… Qualification ……………………………………………………………………….

(Name) …………………………………………………… Qualification ……………………………………………………………………….

(Name) …………………………………………………… Qualification ……………………………………………………………………….

(Name) …………………………………………………… Pilot’s Licence Nr ………………………………………………………………..

(Name) …………………………………………………… Flight Engineer’s Licence Nr (if applicable) ………………………….

(Additional comments as required)

Signed

Print name:      …………………..

Position/appointment held:  …………………..

E-mail address:    …………………..

Telephone number:    …………………..

GM1 ORA.FSTD.200 Application for FSTD qualification

ED Decision 2012/007/R

USE OF FOOTPRINT TESTS IN QUALIFICATION TEST SUBMISSION

(a) Introduction

(1) Recent experience during initial qualification of some FFSs has required acceptance of increasing numbers of footprint tests. This is particularly true for FFSs of smaller or older aircraft types, where there may be a lack of aircraft flight test data. However, the large number of footprint tests offered in some QTGs has given rise to concern. 

(2) This guidance is applicable to FFS aeroplane, FTD aeroplane, FFS helicopter and FTD helicopter qualifications.

(b) Terminology

(1) Footprint test - footprint test data are derived from a subjective assessment carried out on the actual FSTD requiring qualification. The assessment and validation of these data are carried out by a pilot appointed by the competent authority. The resulting data are the footprint validation data for the FSTD concerned.

(c) Recommendation

(1) It is permitted to use footprint data where flight test data is not available. Only when all other alternative possible sources of data have been thoroughly reviewed without success may a footprint test be acceptable, subject to a case-by-case review with the competent authorities concerned, and taking into consideration the level of qualification sought for the FSTD.

(2) Footprint test data should be:

(i) constructed with initial conditions and FFS set up in the appropriate configuration (e.g. correct engine rating) for the required validation data;

(ii) a manoeuvre representative of the particular aircraft being simulated;

(iii) manually flown out by a type rated pilot who has current experience on type* and is deemed acceptable by the competent authority**;

(iv) constructed from validation data obtained from the footprint test manoeuvre and transformed into an automatic test;

(v) an automatic test run as a fully integrated test with pilot control inputs; and

(vi) automatically run for the initial qualification and recurrent evaluations.

* In this context, ‘current’ refers to the pilot experience on the aircraft and not to the Part-FCL standards.

** The same pilot should sign off the complete test as being fully representative.

(3) A clear rationale should be included in the QTG for each footprint test. These rationales should be added to and clearly recorded within the validation data roadmap (VDR) in accordance with and as defined in Appendix 2 to AMC1-CS-FSTD(A).300.

(4) Where the number of footprint tests is deemed by the competent authority to be excessive, the maximum level of qualification may be affected. The competent authority should review each area of validation test data where the use of footprint tests as the basis for the validation data is proposed. Consideration should be given to the extent to which footprint tests are used in any given area.

For example, it would be unacceptable if all or the vast majority of takeoff tests were proposed as footprint tests, with little or no flight test data being presented. It should be recognised, therefore, that it may be necessary for new flight test data to be gathered if the use of footprint tests becomes excessive, not just overall, but also in specific areas.

(5) For recurrent evaluation purposes an essential match is to be expected. Validation tests using footprint data which do not provide an essential match should be justified to the satisfaction of the competent authority.

The competent authority should be consulted at the point of definition of the aircraft data for qualification prior to the procurement of the device if footprint tests need to be used.

ORA.FSTD.205 Certification specifications for FSTDs

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

(a) The Agency shall issue, in accordance with Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, Certification Specifications as standard means to show compliance of FSTDs with the Essential Requirements of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008.

(b) Such Certification Specifications shall be sufficiently detailed and specific to indicate to applicants the conditions under which qualifications will be issued.

ORA.FSTD.210 Qualification basis

Regulation (EU) No 70/2014

(a) The qualification basis for the issuance of an FSTD qualification certificate shall consist of:

(1) the applicable Certification Specifications established by the Agency that are effective on the date of the application for the initial qualification;

(2) the aircraft validation data defined by the mandatory part of the operational suitability data as approved under Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, if applicable; and

(3) any special conditions prescribed by the competent authority if the related Certification Specifications do not contain adequate or appropriate standards for the FSTD because the FSTD has novel or different features to those upon which the applicable Certification Specifications are based.

(b) The qualification basis shall be applicable for future recurrent qualifications of the FSTD, unless it is re-categorised.

ORA.FSTD.225 Duration and continued validity

Regulation (EU) No 290/2012

(a) The full flight simulator (FFS), flight training device (FTD) or flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) qualification shall remain valid subject to:

(1) the FSTD and the operating organisation remaining in compliance with the applicable requirements;

(2) the competent authority being granted access to the organisation as defined in ORA.GEN.140 to determine continued compliance with the relevant requirements of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its Implementing Rules; and

(3) the qualification certificate not being surrendered or revoked.

(b) The period of 12 months established in ARA.FSTD.120(b)(1) may be extended up to a maximum of 36 months, in the following circumstances:

(1) the FSTD has been subject to an initial and at least one recurrent evaluation that has established its compliance with the qualification basis;

(2) the FSTD qualification certificate holder has a satisfactory record of successful regulatory FSTD evaluations during the previous 36 months;

(3) the competent authority performs a formal audit of the compliance monitoring system defined in ORA.GEN.200(a)(6) of the organisation every 12 months; and

(4) an assigned person of the organisation with adequate experience reviews the regular reruns of the qualification test guide (QTG) and conducts the relevant functions and subjective tests every 12 months and sends a report of the results to the competent authority.

(c) A BITD qualification shall remain valid subject to regular evaluation for compliance with the applicable qualification basis by the competent authority in accordance with ARA.FSTD.120.

(d) Upon surrender or revocation, the FSTD qualification certificate shall be returned to the competent authority.

AMC1 ORA.FSTD.225(b)(4) Duration and continued validity

ED Decision 2012/007/R

The assigned person should have experience in FSTDs and training. The person may have FSTD experience or training experience with an education in FSTD evaluation procedures only, provided the other element of expertise is available within the organisation and a procedure for undertaking the annual review and reporting to the competent authority is documented within the compliance monitoring function.

ORA.FSTD.230 Changes to the qualified FSTD

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

(a) The holder of an FSTD qualification certificate shall inform the competent authority of any proposed changes to the FSTD, such as:

(1) major modifications;

(2) relocation of the FSTD; and

(3) any de-activation of the FSTD.

(b) In case of an upgrade of the FSTD qualification level, the organisation shall apply to the competent authority for an upgrade evaluation. The organisation shall run all validation tests for the requested qualification level. Results from previous evaluations shall not be used to validate FSTD performance for the current upgrade.

(c) When an FSTD is moved to a new location, the organisation shall inform the competent authority before the planned activity along with a schedule of related events.

Prior to returning the FSTD to service at the new location, the organisation shall perform at least one third of the validation tests, and functions and subjective tests to ensure that the FSTD performance meets its original qualification standard. A copy of the test documentation shall be retained together with the FSTD records for review by the competent authority.

The competent authority may perform an evaluation of the FSTD after relocation. The evaluation shall be in accordance with the original qualification basis of the FSTD.

(d) If an organisation plans to remove an FSTD from active status for prolonged periods, the competent authority shall benotified and suitable controls established for the period during which the FSTD is inactive.

The organisation shall agree with the competent authority a plan for the de-activation, any storage and re-activation to ensure that the FSTD can be restored to active status at its original qualification level.

AMC1 ORA.FSTD.230(b) Changes to the qualified FSTD

ED Decision 2012/007/R

UPDATING AND UPGRADING EXISTING FSTDs

(a) An update is a result of a change to the existing device where it retains its existing qualification level. The change may be certified through a recurrent inspection or an extra inspection if deemed necessary by the competent authority according to the applicable requirements in effect at the time of initial qualification.

(b) If such a change to an existing device would imply that the performance of the device could no longer meet the requirements at the time of initial qualification, but that the result of the change would, in the opinion of the competent authority, clearly mean an improvement to the performance and training capabilities of the device altogether, then the competent authority might accept the proposed change as an update while allowing the device to retain its original qualification level.

(c) An upgrade is defined as the raising of the qualification level of a device, or an increase in training credits, which can only be achieved by undergoing an initial qualification according to the latest applicable requirements.

(d) As long as the qualification level of the device does not change, all changes made to the device should be considered to be updates pending approval by the competent authority.

(e) An upgrade, and consequent initial qualification according to the latest applicable requirements, is only applicable when the organisation requests another qualification level (recategorisation) for the FSTD.

ORA.FSTD.235 Transferability of an FSTD qualification

Regulation (EU) No 290/2012

(a) When there is a change of the organisation operating an FSTD, the new organisation shall inform the competent authority in advance in order to agree upon a plan of transfer of the FSTD.

(b) The competent authority may perform an evaluation in accordance with the original qualification basis of the FSTD.

(c) When the FSTD no longer complies with its initial qualification basis, the organisation shall apply for a new FSTD qualification certificate.

ORA.FSTD.240 Record-keeping

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

The holder of an FSTD qualification certificate shall keep records of:

(a) all documents describing and proving the initial qualification basis and level of the FSTD for the duration of the FSTD’s lifetime; and

(b) any recurrent documents and reports related to each FSTD and to compliance monitoring activities for a period of at least 5 years.

AMC1 ORA.FSTD.240 Record-keeping

ED Decision 2012/007/R

FSTD RECORDS

(a) FSTD records to be kept should include the following:

(1) for the lifetime of the device:

(i) the master QTG (MQTG) of the initial evaluation;

(ii) the qualification certificate of the initial evaluation; and

(iii) the initial evaluation report;

(2) for a period of at least 5 years (in paper or electronic format):

(i) recurrent QTG runs;

(ii) recurrent evaluation reports;

(iii) reports of internal functions and subjective testing;

(iv) technical log;

(v) CMS report;

(vi) audit schedule;

(vii) evaluation programme;

(viii) management evaluation reports; 

(ix) obsolete procedures and forms.