Editing Flight simulator (section)

==Qualification and approval==
[[File:Baltic Aviation Academy Airbus B737 Full Flight Simulator (FFS).jpg|thumb|[[Full flight simulator]] of a [[Boeing 737]]]]
[[File:SIMAER.jpg|thumb|A spherical display with multiple projectors visible above the cockpit]]

===Procedure===
Before September 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/ac_61-136b.pdf|title=FAA AC 61-136B}}</ref> when a manufacturer wished to have an ATD model approved, a document that contains the specifications for the model line and that proves compliance with the appropriate regulations is submitted to the FAA.  Once this document, called a Qualification Approval Guide (QAG), has been approved, all future devices conforming to the QAG are automatically approved and individual evaluation is neither required nor available.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_61-136A.pdf|title=FAA AC 61-136A}}</ref>

The actual procedure accepted by all CAAs (Civil Aviation Authorities) around the world is to propose 30 days prior qualification date (40 days for CAAC) a MQTG document (Master Qualification Test Guide), which is proper to a unique simulator device and will live along the device itself, containing objective, and functional and subjective tests to demonstrate the representativeness of the simulator compare to the airplane. The results will be compared to Flight Test Data provided by aircraft OEMs or from test campaign ordered by simulator OEMs or also can be compared by POM (Proof Of Match) data provided by aircraft OEMs development simulators. Some of the QTGs will be rerun during the year to prove during continuous qualification that the simulator is still in the tolerances approved by the CAA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/nsp/media/14cfr60_searchable_version.pdf|title=FAA CFR Part 60}}</ref><ref name="CS-FSTD(A)">{{Cite web|url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/CS-FSTD%28A%29%20%E2%80%94%20Issue%202.pdf|title=EASA CS-FSTD(A) Issue 2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/MHGZ/201511/P020151103350036735706.pdf |title=CAAC CCAR-60}}</ref>

=== US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) categories ===
;Aviation Training Device (ATD)<ref>[http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_61-136A.pdf AC-61-136A] Appendix 1 and 2</ref>
* '''FAA Basic ATD (BATD)''' – Provides an adequate training platform and design for both procedural and operational performance tasks specific to the ground and flight training requirements for Private Pilot Certificate and instrument rating per Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
* '''FAA Advanced ATD (AATD)''' – Provides an adequate training platform for both procedural and operational performance tasks specific to the ground and flight training requirements for Private Pilot Certificate, instrument rating, Commercial Pilot Certificate, and Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate, and Flight Instructor Certificate.

;Flight Training Devices (FTD)<ref>[http://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-60 14 CFR Part 60], Appendices B and D</ref>
* '''FAA FTD Level 4''' – Similar to a Cockpit Procedures Trainer (CPT).  This level does not require an aerodynamic model, but accurate systems modeling is required.
* '''FAA FTD Level 5''' – Aerodynamic programming and systems modeling is required, but it may represent a family of aircraft rather than only one specific model.
* '''FAA FTD Level 6''' – Aircraft-model-specific aerodynamic programming, control feel, and physical cockpit are required.
* '''FAA FTD Level 7''' – Model specific.  All applicable aerodynamics, flight controls, and systems must be modeled.  A vibration system must be supplied. This is the first level to require a visual system.

;Full Flight Simulators (FFS)<ref>[http://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-60 14 CFR Part 60], Appendices A and C</ref>
* '''FAA FFS Level A''' – A motion system is required with at least three degrees of freedom.  Airplanes only.
* '''FAA FFS Level B''' – Requires three axis motion and a higher-fidelity aerodynamic model than does Level A.  The lowest level of helicopter flight simulator.
* '''FAA FFS Level C''' – Requires a motion platform with all six degrees of freedom.  Also lower transport delay (latency) over levels A & B.  The visual system must have an outside-world horizontal field of view of at least 75 degrees for each pilot.
* '''FAA FFS Level D''' – The highest level of FFS qualification currently available.  Requirements are for Level C with additions.  The motion platform must have all six degrees of freedom, and the visual system must have an outside-world horizontal field of view of at least 150 degrees, with a [[collimated]] (distant focus) display.  Realistic sounds in the cockpit are required, as well as a number of special motion and visual effects.

=== European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA, ex JAA) categories ===

These definitions apply to both airplanes<ref name="CS FSTD(A).200">CS FSTD(A).200: Terminology</ref> and helicopters<ref name="CS FSTD(H).200">CS FSTD(H).200: Terminology</ref> unless specified otherwise. Training devices briefly compared below are all different subclasses of Flight simulation training device (FSTD).

'''Basic instrument training device (BITD)''' ''airplanes only'' : A basic student station for [[instrument flight]] procedures; can use spring loaded flight controls, and instruments displayed on a screen

'''Flight Navigation and Procedures Trainer (FNPT)''' : Representation of cockpit with all equipment and software to replicate function of aircraft systems
* '''EASA FNPT Level I''' :  Fully enclosed real-scale cockpit, control forces and travel representative of the aircraft,  aerodynamic model taking into account changes to airspeed, loading and other factors
* '''EASA FNPT Level II''' : Model handling of aircraft on ground and in [[Ground effect (aerodynamics)|ground effect]], effects of icing, visual system including different ambient lighting conditions (i.e. day, night, dusk)
* '''EASA FNPT Level III''' ''helicopters only'' : Wider field of view and means of quickly testing correct operation of hardware and software
* '''MCC''' : Additional requirements for FNPT Level II and III to be used for [[multi-crew cooperation]] training, for example which instruments need to be doubled for each crew member<ref>Appendix 1 to CS FSTD(H).300, Appendix 1 to CS FSTD(A).300</ref>

'''Flight Training Devices (FTD)'''
* '''EASA FTD Level 1''' : May lack a visual system, compared to FNPT the aircraft systems must operate correctly based only on pilot inputs without requiring instructor actions
* '''EASA FTD Level 2''' : Visual system with different conditions, cockpit must include other crew stations, controls must replicate movement dynamics
* '''EASA FTD Level 3''' ''helicopter only'' : Model data must be based on validation flights - cannot be generic aerodynamical model, wider field of view

'''Full Flight Simulators (FFS)'''
* '''EASA FFS Level A''' : Motion system with 3 degrees of freedom (pitch, roll, heave)
* '''EASA FFS Level B''' : Motion system with all 6 degrees of freedom, modelling ground handling
* '''EASA FFS Level C''' : Simulate different runway conditions, icing, more detailed aerodynamic model
* '''EASA FFS Level D''' : Characteristic vibrations that can be felt in the cockpit, realistic noise levels