Editing Flight simulator (section)

=== 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.