Regulation Text
§ 61.4 Qualification and approval of flight simulators and flight training devices.
(a) Except as specified in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, each flight simulator and flight training device used for training, and for which an airman is to receive credit to satisfy any training, testing, or checking requirement under this chapter, must be qualified and approved by the Administrator for—
(1) The training, testing, and checking for which it is used;
(2) Each particular maneuver, procedure, or crewmember function performed; and
(3) The representation of the specific category and class of aircraft, type of aircraft, particular variation within the type of aircraft, or set of aircraft for certain flight training devices.
(b) Any device used for flight training, testing, or checking that has been determined to be acceptable to or approved by the Administrator prior to August 1, 1996, which can be shown to function as originally designed, is considered to be a flight training device, provided it is used for the same purposes for which it was originally accepted or approved and only to the extent of such acceptance or approval.
(c) The Administrator may approve a device other than a flight simulator or flight training device for specific purposes.
Research Notes
Simulator Qualification Framework
Section 61.4 is the gateway requirement: any simulator used for credit toward an airman certificate or rating must be FAA-qualified and approved for the specific training purpose. AC 120-40C (Airplane Simulator Qualification) and AC 61-136B (Aviation Training Device Qualification) define the approval levels.
Full Flight Simulators (FFS): Levels A through D. Level D is the highest — full motion, visual, and system fidelity. Required for some zero-flight-time type ratings. Level A can substitute for some currency requirements.
Flight Training Devices (FTD): Levels 4 through 7. No motion platform. Used for instrument procedure training and some certificate/rating requirements. Level 7 has the most realistic avionics and handling.
Aviation Training Devices (ATDs): Basic ATD (BATD) and Advanced ATD (AATD). Lowest approval level. Useful for IFR currency (§ 61.57(c)) and some instrument training hour requirements.
Grandfather clause in § 61.4(b): devices approved before August 1, 1996 that still function as originally designed retain their approval status for their original approved purposes.
Reference: AC 61-136B — FAA Approval of Aviation Training Devices.
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.