This Opinion proposes amendments to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 with the objective of introducing:
- a new regulatory approach for qualification of flight simulation training devices (FSTDs), based on the FSTD capabilities and fidelity levels specified in the FSTD capability signature (FCS); and
- a task-to-tool concept for aeroplane and helicopter type rating training and operator recurrent training.
With the proposed amendments, training providers will be required to identify the device capabilities and fidelity levels that are needed for training based on an analysis of training task objectives. In order to be able to use an FSTD qualified with an FCS, the FCS needs to have, for each FSTD feature, a fidelity level that is equal to or higher than the identified training FCS.
The proposed amendments are not expected to cause any changes to approved type rating training and already qualified FSTDs, which can still be used without any changes. The FCS framework can be applied by the training organisations and organisations operating the FSTD on a voluntary basis for FSTDs qualified before the new qualification basis becomes applicable.
After the new regulatory framework becomes applicable, FSTDs qualified with FCSs can be used in type rating training without any changes to the approved training programme by applying the corresponding equivalence between FSTDs qualified with types and levels and FSTDs qualified with FCSs. The proposed applicability of the new FCS framework is two years after the entry into force of the proposed amendments. During this period, EASA intends to support the stakeholders by organising an implementation support task.
The proposed amendments ensure harmonisation, as appropriate, with the guidance established in Doc 9625, Manual of criteria for the qualification of flight simulation training devices, by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
