Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the regulatory requirements related to Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTD)
Requirements for Organisations Operating FSTD’s – ORA.FSTD.100 General (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011)
- Applicant to Demonstrate to CA – Management system I.A.W ORA.GEN
- Demonstrate capability to maintain the performance, functions, and other characteristics specified for the FSTD’s qualification level
- Demonstrate ability to control the installation of the FSTD.
Note: For holders of a qualification certificate, the FSTD specifications shall be detailed:
- In the terms of the ATO certificate; or
- In the case of an AOC holder, in the training manual.
ORA.FSTD.105 Maintaining the FSTD qualification (Regulation (EU) No 290/2012)
Maintaining the Qualification
- Run a complete set of tests ref master qualification test guide (MQTG) over a 12-month period. (Results Managed I.A.W ORA.FSTD.240)
- Configuration control system to ensure the continued integrity of the hardware and software of the qualified FSTD.
ORA.FSTD.110 Modifications (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011)
- System to identify, assess and incorporate any important modifications into the FSTDs it operates, especially:
o Aircraft modifications essential for training, – whether or not enforced by an airworthiness directive; and
o Modification of an FSTD, including motion and visual systems, essential for training, testing and checking, as in the case of data revisions.
- Modifications of the FSTD hardware and software that affect handling, performance and systems operation or any major modifications of the motion or visual system shall be evaluated to determine the impact on the original qualification criteria.
- The organisation shall prepare amendments for any affected validation tests. The organisation shall test the FSTD to the new criteria.
- The organisation shall inform the CA in advance of any major changes (CA to advise on evaluation)
ORA.FSTD.115 Installations (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011)
- FSTD appropriately housed
- Safety Briefing for users and Staff
- Comply with local regulations health & safety
- Emergency Stops & Lighting – Annual Check – minimum
ORA.FSTD.120 Additional Equipment – Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011
- All additional equipment added to the FSTD to be assessed by CA.
Requirements for Qualification of FSTDS – ORA.FSTD.200 (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011)
- Application for FSTD I.A.W CA requirements:
o For Basic instrument training devices (BITDs), by the BITD manufacturer;
o In other cases by the organisation operate the FSTD.
- Provide competent authority with compliance documentation I.A.W ORA.GEN.130 and ORA.FSTD.230.
ORA.FSTD.205 Certification specifications for FSTDs (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011)
EASA issues Certification Specifications (CS) as standard means to show compliance of FSTDs with the Essential Requirements.
ORA.FSTD.210 Qualification basis (Regulation (EU) No 70/2014)
- Qualification basis for FSTD certificate:
o CS are effective on the date of application
o aircraft validation data defined by the mandatory OSD if applicable; and
o Any special conditions prescribed by the CA
Note: The qualification basis shall be applicable for future recurrent qualifications of the FSTD, unless it is re-categorized.
ORA.FSTD.225 Duration and continued validity (Regulation (EU) No 290/2012)
The full flight simulator (FFS), flight training device (FTD) or flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) qualification shall remain valid subject to:
- Organisation remaining in Compliance
- CA access at all times
- Compliance with ORA.GEN.140
- Certificate remaining Valid
Note: The 12 months established in ARA.FSTD.120(b)(1) extended to max 36 months, in the following circumstances
- FSTD subject to initial plus 1 recurrent evaluation & established compliance with the qualification basis;
- Satisfactory record past 36 months
- CA audit 12 months ref ORA.GEN.200(a)(6)
- adequate experience reviews of 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.
Note 1: A BITD qualification shall remain valid subject to regular evaluation with ARA.FSTD.120.
Note 2: Upon surrender or revocation, the FSTD qualification certificate shall be returned to the competent authority.
ORA.FSTD.230 Changes to the qualified FSTD (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011)
- Inform CA regarding changes
o Major modifications;
o Relocation of the FSTD; and
o Any de-activation of the FSTD.
- For upgrade – apply to CA for evaluation
o The organisation shall run all validation tests for the requested qualification level.
o Results from previous evaluations shall not be used to validate FSTD performance for the current upgrade.
When FSTD is moved to a new location – Inform CA before activity (plus schedule)
- Prior to returning the FSTD to service at the new location
o At least one third of the validation tests, and functions and subjective tests to ensure that the FSTD performance meets its original qualification standard.
o A copy of the test documentation together with the FSTD records for review by the competent authority.
Note: 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.
- If an organisation plans to remove an FSTD from active status for prolonged periods, the competent authority shall be notified 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.
ORA.FSTD.235 Transferability of an FSTD qualification (Regulation (EU) No 290/2012)
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.
- The competent authority may perform an evaluation in accordance with the original qualification basis of the FSTD.
Note: 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:
- All documents describing and proving the initial qualification basis and level of the FSTD for the duration of the FSTD’s lifetime; and
- Any recurrent documents and reports related to each FSTD and to compliance monitoring activities for a period of at least 5 years.
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SAS blogs, FSTD, Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Regulation (EU) No 290/2012, EASA ORA, Flight Simulator Training Devices, Regulation (EU) No 70/2014, ORA.GEN, ARA.FSTD, ORA.FSTD, Organisation Requirements for Aircrew
