ED Decision 2021/012/R
(a) These Certification Specifications for Flight Crew Data (CS-FCD) address:
(1) the determination of a pilot type rating:
(i) to establish whether an aircraft is recognised as a new type or as a variant to an existing type of aircraft, or as a modification to an existing type or variant, including its new systems, new equipment, or new procedures; and
(ii) to assign the pilot licence endorsement designation for an aircraft;
(2) the minimum syllabus for an aircraft type-specific pilot training course, including checking requirements, currency requirements and recent experience requirements;
(3) the identification and validation of training areas of special emphasis (TASE);
(4) the determination of initial and recurrent training, as well as of checking and credit based on the differences/commonalities between types, variants, aircraft systems, equipment, or procedures; and
(5) pilot experience and pilot prerequisites for the issuance of a type rating, as provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (‘Aircrew Regulation’).
(b) The following elements are taken into consideration to achieve compliance with CS-FCD:
(1) the specific characteristics of the aircraft;
(2) any type-specific training elements related to design changes, equipment, procedures or operations of an aircraft;
(3) the technical requirements and administrative procedures related to the Aircrew Regulation, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (‘Air OPS Regulation’), and those of Annex I (Part 21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 (‘Initial Airworthiness Regulation’);
(4) the pilot experience and entry prerequisites for the issuance of a type rating;
(5) the commonalities and differences between the candidate aircraft and the base aircraft in accordance with the difference requirement (DR) tables, where applicable.
[Issue No: FCD/2]
ED Decision 2021/012/R
(a) The scope of CS-FCD includes the following elements, as appropriate:
(1) training elements related to types of operations subject to specific approvals as per Annex III (Part-ORO), Annex V (Part CAT), and Annex VIII (Part-SPO) to the Air OPS Regulation; and
(2) the use of optional aircraft equipment.
(b) Specific types of operations include, but are not limited to:
(1) LVO;
(2) ETOPS;
(3) operations dedicated to helicopters such as HHO, HEMS, and offshore operations; and
(4) steep approaches.
(c) Specific airspace includes, but is not limited to, RVSM, MNPS, and BRNAV.
(d) Optional equipment includes, but is not limited to, new aircraft technology or specific equipment such as HUD, EFB, NVIS, ECL customisation, EFVS and SFVS equipment.
[Issue No: FCD/2]
ED Decision 2021/012/R
(a) CS FCD.200(a) is applicable to all aircraft. All other paragraphs are applicable to aircraft for which a pilot type rating is determined.
(b) This CS-FCD specifies operational suitability data (OSD) based on data provision which is required from the type certificate (TC) applicant/holder and data provided at the request of the TC applicant/holder. OSD is presented as mandatory or non-mandatory (recommendations) for the end user in accordance with the Aircrew and Air OPS Regulations as follows:
(1) data required from the TC applicant/holder and mandatory for the end users (Box 1):
(i) CS FCD.200;
(ii) CS FCD.300(a);(b);(c);(d);(e)(1) and (e)(2);
(iii) CS FCD.400;
(iv) CS FCD.405;
(v) CS FCD.410;
(vi) CS FCD.415; and
(vii) CS FCD.420;
(2) data required from the TC applicant/holder and non-mandatory (recommendations) for the end users (Box 2):
(i) CS FCD.300(a);(b);(c);(d);(e)(3) and (f);
(ii) CS FCD.415; and
(iii) CS FCD.420;
(3) data at the request of the TC applicant/holder and mandatory for the end users (Box 3):
(i) CS FCD.300(a);(b);(c);(d);(e)(1) and (e)(2);
(ii) CS FCD.310(a) and (b);
(iii) CS FCD.400;
(iv) CS FCD.405;
(v) CS FCD.410;
(vi) CS FCD.415; and
(vii) CS FCD.420;
(4) data at the request of the TC applicant/holder and non-mandatory (recommendations) for the end users (Box 4):
(i) CS FCD.300(a);(b);(c);(d);(e)(2);(e)(3) and (f);
(ii) CS FCD.305;
(iii) CS FCD.310(a) and (b);
(iv) CS FCD.400;
(v) CS FCD.405;
(vi) CS FCD.410;
(vii) CS FCD.415; and
(viii) CS FCD.420; and
(5) items (b)(1) and (b)(2) combined constitute the minimum syllabus for pilot type rating training as required by Part 21.
[Issue No: FCD/2]
ED Decision 2021/012/R
(a) The technical requirements and administrative procedures related to the Aircrew and Air OPS Regulations contain references to OSD that may be established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.
This data may contain mandatory or non-mandatory elements concerning:
(1) the type of aircraft categorisation;
(2) the period of validity for type ratings;
(3) the pilot experience requirements and prerequisites to commence training;
(4) theoretical knowledge and flight instruction for the issuance of type ratings;
(5) difference training provisions between different variants of one type or between an aircraft and the related systems, equipment, and procedures that are associated with a modification;
(6) credit related to reduced type rating training, based on commonalities between two types from the same manufacturer;
(7) recent experience credit for operations on more than one type of aircraft;
(8) recurrent training, and checking, as well as alternating proficiency checks, for operations on more than one type or variant;
(9) pilot type-specific training elements;
(10) credit related to crewing of inexperienced flight crew members;
(11) credit related to the number of take-offs and landings following ZFTT;
(12) type specific training elements related to the issuance of a specific approval; and
(13) credit related to specific types of operations, when so allowed by the Air OPS Regulation.
(b) Mandatory and non-mandatory OSD elements are approved upon satisfactory demonstration of compliance. This data may be required from, or voluntarily provided by, the applicant, based on data required to be approved, or based on data approved at the request of the applicant.
Therefore, OSD can be grouped in ‘Boxes’ as follows:
(1) Box 1: Data required from the applicant and mandatory for the end user;
(2) Box 2: Data required from the applicant and non-mandatory (recommendations) for the end user;
(3) Box 3: Data at the request of the applicant and mandatory for the end user; and
(4) Box 4: Data at the request of the applicant and non-mandatory (recommendations) for the end user.
Boxes 1 and 2 combined constitute the minimum syllabus for pilot type rating training as required by Part 21.
Some practical examples are provided in the following table:
|
Box 1 |
Box 2 |
|
Aircraft type designation and pilot licence endorsement Aircraft variant designations Prerequisites for initial type rating training and checking Training areas of special emphasis (TASE) for initial type rating and recurrent training MDR tables between variants DR tables related to systems training, equipment training, and procedures training, based on aircraft modifications |
Training footprint for: — initial type rating and difference training (when applicable) |
|
Box 3 |
Box 4 |
|
Level of differences determination — DR & MDR Tables TASE for: — difference training — type rating training based on credit for commonalities; and — training for specific operations, procedures or equipment (e.g. steep approaches, RNP AR, EFVS/SFVS, EFB, NVIS, etc.) Prerequisites, credit for training and checking or recent experience requirements for operations on more than one type or variant |
Training footprint for: — difference training; — type rating training based on credit for commonalities; and — training for specific operations, procedures or equipment (e.g. LVO, RNP AR, EFVS/SFVS, EFB, NVIS, etc.) CTLC: credit for recent experience requirements Credits for training, checking, or currency |
[Issue No: FCD/2]
ED Decision 2021/012/R
Within the scope of this CS-FCD, the following definitions apply:
(a) Base aircraft means an aircraft used as a reference to compare differences with another aircraft.
(b) Candidate aircraft means an aircraft subject to the evaluation process.
(c) Checking means skill testing, proficiency checking, and recurrent checking.
(d) Common take-off and landing credit (CTLC) means a programme or process that allows credit for recent experience between aircraft types that can be demonstrated to have very similar handling qualities, flight characteristics, operating techniques, and operating procedures during take-off and initial climb, approach and landing (including the establishment of the final landing configuration).
(e) Currency means the experience and recurrent training necessary for the safe operation of aircraft, systems and equipment.
(f) Difference level means a formally designated level of difference between a base and a candidate aircraft for the evaluation of pilot training, checking, or currency.
(g) Difference requirement (DR) means a description of the differences regarding the level of training and checking, or currency between a base and a candidate aircraft and their impact on flight characteristics and changes of procedures, to be used by ATOs for the development of training courses and by operators for the development of ODR tables and training programmes.
(h) Evaluation subjects means pilots possessing the general and specific prerequisites for taking a training course and/or for conducting the specific test, who are used in T tests for the purpose of determining the compliance of the proposed OSD FC initial or difference training elements, as well as of any credit.
(i) Flight characteristics means the handling qualities or performance characteristics perceivable by a pilot. Flight characteristics relate to the natural aerodynamic response of an aircraft, particularly as affected by changes in configuration or flight path parameters.
(j) Handling qualities means the manner in which the aircraft responds with respect to the rate and magnitude of pilot-initiated control inputs to the flight controls based on the aerodynamic response of an aircraft, also as affected by changes in configuration or flight path parameters.
(k) Line flying under supervision (LIFUS) means the part of the operator’s conversion course in accordance with the Air OPS Regulation.
(l) Master difference requirements (MDRs) means those requirements that pertain to differences between types of aircraft or variants of the same type of aircraft. MDRs are specified in terms of the minimum difference levels for training, checking, and currency, and include the highest difference level identified in the applicable DR tables.
(m) Minimum syllabus means the training elements and the associated footprint provided by the applicant and approved by EASA for a specific aircraft type.
(n) Modification means a change to an aircraft type design and to the associated TC, which has an impact on the flight crew data in relation to new systems, new equipment, or new procedures.
(o) Pilot type rating endorsement means the designation of an aircraft type endorsed on a pilot licence.
(p) Recent experience means the recent experience described in point FCL.060 of Annex I (Part-FCL) to the Aircrew Regulation.
(q) Training areas of special emphasis (TASE) means specific knowledge and skills required for the safe operation of an aircraft type or variant, the use of equipment, the application of procedures, or the performance of operations.
(r) Training footprint means a summary description of a training programme, usually in short tabular form, showing the training subjects, modules, procedures, manoeuvres, or other programme elements that are planned for completion during each day or phase of training.
(s) Type of aircraft means a category of aircraft that requires a type rating as determined in the OSD established in accordance with Part 21, and which includes all aircraft of the same basic design, including all modifications thereto, except those modifications that result in a change of handling qualities or of flight characteristics.
(t) Variant means an aircraft or a series of aircraft that shares the same basic design within the same pilot type rating, and that has such differences from the base aircraft that require difference training or familiarisation training as per point FCL.710 of Part-FCL.
[Issue No: FCD/2]
ED Decision 2021/012/R
List of acronyms used in CS-FCD
ACARS Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System
ATA Air Transport Association
ATO approved training organisation
ATQP Alternative Training and Qualification Programme
BRNAV Basic Area Navigation
CBT Computer-Based Training
CTLC common take-off and landing credit
CS Certification Specifications
DR Difference Requirement
ECL Electronic Check List
EFB Electronic Flight Bag
EFIS Electronic Flight Instrument System
EFVS enhanced flight vision system
ETOPS Extended range operations with two-engine aeroplane
FC Flight Crew
FCD flight crew data
FCL Flight Crew Licensing
FCS FSTD capability signature
FD Flight Director
FFS full flight simulator
FGCS Flight Guidance Control System
FMS Flight Management System
FSTD flight simulation training device
FTD flight training device
GM Guidance Material
GPWS Ground Proximity Warning System
HEMS Helicopter Emergency Medical Service
HHO Helicopter Hoist Operations
HUD Head-Up Display
INS Inertial Navigation System
JOEB Joint Operational Evaluation Board
LBS Load & Balance and Servicing
LIFUS Line Flying Under Supervision
LOF line oriented flying
LVO Low-Visibility Operations
MDR Master Difference Requirement
MNPS Minimum Navigation Performance Specification
NVIS Night Vision Imaging System
ODR Operator Difference Requirement
OEB Operational Evaluation Board
OPT Operational Performance Tool
OSD Operational Suitability Data
OTD Other Training Devices
PIC Pilot-In-Command
QRH Quick Reference Handbook
RNP AR required navigation performance authorisation required
RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minima
SFVS synthetic flight vision system
TC Type Certificate
TCAS Traffic Collision Avoidance System
TCH type-certificate holder
TRI Type-Rating Instructor
VFR Visual Flight Rules
WBT web-based training
ZFTT zero flight time training
[Issue No: FCD/2]