Fee for Service Questions and Answers for FSTD Guidance Bulletin 03-07

1.  What is the definition of a definition of "sponsor"?

> [FSTD Guidance Bulletin 03-08 describes the sponsor qualification
> requirements.](http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/aircraft_aviation/nsp/flight_training/bulletins/media/03-08.doc)

2.  Is the reference to Part 119 Air Carriers intended to include Part
    121 and Part 135 operators?

> Title14, Part 119 [Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial
> Operators]{.underline}, addresses the certification requirements that
> an operator must meet to hold and maintain an operating certificate
> under Parts 121, 125, and 135.

3.  How do I obtain a copy of 14CFR Part 187 and AC 120-187-1A?

> [Hyperlink to Part
> 187](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=c5c04c950aeba120ec490b329c63a4aa&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14cfr187_main_02.tpl)
> [Hyperlink to AC
> 187-1A](http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/83241A085EC4035086256F230059384F?OpenDocument)

4.  What fees will I have to pay?

> Is accordance with AC-187-1A the fees charged are described as
> \$137.00 USD per inspector/engineer hour plus actual travel cost?

5.  How is the hourly charge applied?

> The NSP will compute the number of work and travel days at 8 hours per
> day and multiply the total number of hours by \$137.00. In addition to
> the hourly rate computations for travel and work time, there will be
> an average charge of 40 hours for the initial/upgrade review of a QTG
> (when required) and 8 hours of preparation and closeout time.

6.  Is the hourly rate applied to travel time?

> Yes, at 8 hours per person, per travel day.

7.  How are the expenses determined and how are copies of the documents
    used to determine expense available to the public?

The NSP will compute the travel cost for each traveler. The travel cost
will be determined by using the FAA Travel Handbook.

Initial, upgrade, and some modification evaluations will require the
services of an inspector and engineer. Recurrent evaluations conducted
in North America and Europe normally will require the services of one
inspector. Other locations may require an additional inspector or an
engineer.

Documents may be requested under the Freedom of Information Act, but may
be subject to the Privacy Act. The NSP plans to develop travel scenarios
and draft accounting records for each foreign location that will show an
estimate of the cost. Sponsors may request a copy of a travel scenario
and accounting record on an individual trip basis.

8.  Will the initial evaluations and qualification of the training
    equipment by the aviation authority of the country in which the
    training equipment resides be acceptable to satisfy the FAA Initial
    Qualification requirements and therefore preclude the need for an
    NSPM visit?

> No. Currently the United States has a Simulator Implementation
> Procedure (SIP) agreement with three countries, Great Britain, Canada,
> and Switzerland. At this time, the NSP is conducting all initial and
> upgrade evaluations of flight simulation devices (FSTD's) operating
> under those SIP's.

9.  Will recurrent evaluations performed by the aviation authority of
    the country in which the training equipment resides be acceptable to
    satisfy the FAA recurrent evaluations and therefore preclude the
    need for an NSPM visit?

The NSP will accept a recurrent evaluation conducted by the three
countries discussed in item 8. Under the SIP agreements, the NSP
reserves the right to conduct some of those recurrent evaluations for
SIP validation purposes.

10. Ref. Paragraph 4. (a); who has "charged the NSPM with conducting
    periodic audits and inspections of FSTD sponsors" and where is that
    documented?

> FAA Order 8000.48B, [National Simulator Program]{.underline}, provides
> the National Simulator Program Manager (NSPM) the authority to develop
> criteria and standards for the qualification and conduct of flight
> simulation device evaluations. The NSPM has determined the periodic
> audit and inspection of FSTD sponsors does fall within that authority.

11. What is the definition of the term "periodic" as it pertains to FSTD
    "sponsor" audits and inspections?

Audits are associated with the Simulator Quality Assurance Program,
which is voluntary at this time. Inspections may vary depending on the
need

12. Would audits and inspections (surveillance) conducted by the TCPM or
    POI satisfy the requirement for audits and inspections and therefore
    preclude an NSPM visit?

Currently the responsibility for conducting audits of quality assurance
programs rests with the NSP. Most of our focused inspections are
conducted with the assistance of the TCPM or POI. The NSP will
occasionally ask the local FAA office to conduct a follow-up evaluation.