Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/01/02/2013-31094/notice-of-policy-change-for-the-use-of-faa-approved-training-devices
Timestamp: 2015-05-30 02:25:46
Document Index: 469392179

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 61', 'art 141', 'art 60', 'arts 61', 'arts 61', 'arts 61', '§ 61', 'art 141', 'art 141', '§ 141', '§ 61', 'art 141', '§ 61', 'art 141', 'art 141', 'art 141', '§ 141', '§ 141']

Federal Register | Notice of Policy Change for the Use of FAA Approved Training Devices
-22 (3 pages)
Document Number: 2013-31094
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-31094 Action
Generally, the LOAs that have been issued list the approved uses for the devices with specific regulatory references. Several of these regulations have changed over the years, and some approved uses are no longer permissible.
In addition, the majority of these LOAs were issued to manufacturers without a specific expiration date. The LOAs simply placed obligations on the manufacturer and the eventual operator of the device to ensure that the device was properly maintained and that annual reports were submitted to the FAA regarding the status and continued use of the device. It is unclear the extent that these reporting requirements have been satisfied. Moreover, devices approved prior to July 2008 have not been assessed under the most current guidance provided in AC 61-136.
In 2009, the FAA issued a final rule that placed express limits on the amount of instrument training in an ATD that could be credited toward the aeronautical experience requirements for an instrument rating. 74 FR 42500 (Aug. 21, 2009). Under § 61.65(i), no more than 10 hours of instrument time received in an ATD may be credited toward instrument time requirements of that section. Likewise, appendix C to part 141 states that credit for instrument training in an ATD cannot exceed 10% of the total flight training hour requirements of an approved course.
The FAA has determined that it may not use LOAs as a means to exceed express limits that have been placed in the regulations through notice and comment rulemaking. As such, any LOAs for new devices that the FAA has issued since August 2013 reflect current regulatory requirements. Because, however, manufacturers and operators who hold LOAs issued prior to August 2013, have acted in reliance on FAA statements that were inconsistent with the regulations, the FAA is granting a limited exemption from the requirement in the regulations to provide manufacturers, operators, and pilots currently training for an instrument rating time to adjust to the reduction in hours. This short-term exemption will provide an interim period to transition the LOAs for currently approved devices in accordance with this policy.
This exemption is in the public interest because it will prevent undue harm caused by reasonable reliance on FAA statements.
Due to regulatory changes, new standards for qualifying aviation training devices, and ongoing improvements in technology, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to ensure all approved devices meet current standards contained in AC 61-136 (issued in July 2008) and are consistent with existing regulations. As such, all manufacturers of devices
(including ground trainers, PCATD, FTD level 1-3, and ATDs) who currently hold an LOA (or any other official method of approval) must apply for a new LOA. By January 1, 2015, all FAA approved training devices must have an LOA that has been reissued by AFS-800 (excluding part 60 approvals) that: (1) Assesses the training device under the standards in current AC 61-136; (2) contains an expiration date; and (3) reflects current regulatory requirements. The only exception to the reapplication requirement in this notice applies to new devices that received their first LOAs after August 23, 2013. As noted, these devices have been approved in accordance with AC 61-136, contain expiration dates, and reference the appropriate regulatory limitations.
After January 1, 2015, all LOAs previously issued prior to August 23, 2013, for training devices approved to meet requirements under parts 61 and 141 will terminate. This means that experience obtained in these devices may no longer be credited toward aeronautical experience or currency requirements in parts 61 and 141. In order to promote standardization, LOAs for any training device used for certification and recency under parts 61 and 141 that are not approved by the National Simulator Program AFS-205 will be issued only by General Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS-800. The FAA notes that, as part of this process, renewed LOAs (as well as any LOA issued for a new device) will contain limitations for instrument training that are consistent with the express aeronautical experience limits for an instrument rating found in § 61.65 and appendix C to part 141.
LOAs that are reissued in accordance with this notice will contain language noting the previously discussed exemption that will permit operators of approved devices to continue to use ATDs at the higher levels set forth in the previously approved LOAs—and pilots applying for an instrument rating will be permitted to take the practical test with the aeronautical experience set forth in the LOAs—until January 1, 2015. After this date, no applicant for an instrument rating may use more than 10 hours of instrument training in an ATD toward the minimum aeronautical experience requirements required to take the practical test for an instrument rating. In addition, no graduate of a training program approved under appendix C to part 141 may credit more than 10% of the required coursework in ATDs (unless that program has been approved in accordance with § 141.55(d) or (e)).
The FAA expects manufacturers and operators to adjust training in advance of this date so that no applicant for an instrument rating is ineligible. The FAA notes that the regulations do not place a limit on the amount of time that a person may train in an ATD. Rather, the regulations place a limit on the amount of time in an ATD that may be credited toward the aeronautical experience requirements for an instrument rating. Operators may continue to use these devices to improve pilot proficiency and reduce more costly time in an aircraft.
Applications for new LOAs Back to Top
Devices that received approval between July 14, 2008, and August 23, 2013 Back to Top
Devices that were approved between July 14, 2008 and August 23, 2013 have been assessed under the current standards in AC 61-136; however, these devices may not contain the current regulatory limits of § 61.65(i) or part 141 Appendix C. Any LOA issued after July 14, 2008, may be reissued without the need for additional evaluation. Manufacturers must, however, submit a letter to the General Aviation and Commercial Division (AFS-800), including a copy of the original authorization, requesting a revised LOA that will contain regulatory references that reflect current requirements. If the LOA contains an expiration date, this new authorization will retain the original expiration date.
For LOAs originally issued without an expiration date, the new LOA will reflect a five-year expiration date.
Devices approved prior to July 14, 2008 Back to Top
Disposition Back to Top
1. Some of these devices at one time were approved for practical tests for pilot certification and ratings. However, because these trainers are not tested to the levels of fidelity required for FFSs and FTDs, they are no longer listed in the PTS for use during testing. Specifically, level 1-3 flight training devices have been removed from the task table in each PTS.
2. The FAA is granting an exemption from § 61.65(i) for pilots applying for an instrument rating who have received training from a training provider who operates an ATD under the reduced training hours. The FAA is also granting an exemption to training providers from appendix C to part 141 to permit them to continue to train during the transition period under training programs with more than 10% of the training time in ATDs.
3. The FAA expects that most requests for approval will come from the ATD manufacturer. However, the FAA understands that in some cases the manufacturer may no longer exist or may not wish to seek approval for a particular device. As such, the FAA will accept approval requests from individual ATD owners. An ATD owner can be considered synonymous with a manufacturer for the purpose of submitting and receiving device approvals as described in this notice.
4. Part 141 Appendix C describes the curriculum requirements for an approved training course. After January 1, 2015, no courses approved under part 141 appendix C rating may allow for more than 10% of the required coursework to have been completed in an ATD. After January 1, 2015, no person may graduate from a course that allows for more than 10% of the required coursework to have been completed in an ATD. The exception is those courses that have been approved under § 141.55 (d) and (e). The FAA recognizes that some pilot schools will need to revise their instrument-rating training program to reflect the 10% crediting limitation and resubmit for approval. Alternatively, a pilot school may elect to resubmit their training course for approval under § 141.55 (d) and (e).
5. Since January 2012, all LOAs have been issued to manufacturers with a five-year expiration date.