[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 25, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 38076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18272]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Qualification and Approval of Flight Training Devices, Advisory 
Circular (AC) 120-45

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the date, time, and location of a public 
meeting to address issues related to the qualification and approval of 
certain equipment utilized in pilot flight training. This equipment has 
been defined by the FAA as Flight Training Devices (FTD) in AC 120-45, 
as amended. The meeting will specifically include discussion and 
consideration of: (1) The criteria for qualification and approval of 
FTD not capable of meeting the standards for, or not submitted for, a 
specified level of qualification under the current AC; (2) the criteria 
for qualification and approval of devices commonly called Personal 
Computer-based Flight Training Devices (PCFTD); and (3) additional 
definitions and clarification that may be necessary regarding specific 
issues relative to FTD Levels 2-7; i.e., data, objective testing, etc. 
The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public with the 
opportunity to provide comments on these and other relevant matters 
pertaining to AC 120-45, as amended.

DATES: The meeting will be held on August 29, 30, and 31, 1995. The 
meeting will begin at 9 a.m. on the first day, and 8 a.m. the second 
and third days.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the first floor auditorium of 
the FAA Southern Region Headquarters, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, Georgia 30337.
    Persons unable to attend the meeting may mail their comments in 
triplicate to: Federal Aviation Administration, National Simulator 
Program Manager (NSPM), P.O. Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320. Written 
comments are invited and must be received on or before September 8, 
1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Questions regarding the logistics of the meeting should be directed to 
Joan Hollingsworth, FAA, NSPM Office, AFS-205, at the address shown in 
the preceding paragraph; telephone (404) 305-6100; facsimile (404) 305-
6118.
    Questions concerning the subject matter of the meeting should be 
directed to Ed Cook, National Simulator Program, telephone (404) 305-
6101; or Larry Basham, Flight Standards Service, Certification Branch, 
telephone (202) 267-3837.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 11, 1987, the FAA issued AC 120-45, ``Advanced Training 
Devices (Airplane Only) Evaluation and Qualification,'' applicable to 
that part of the aviation community regulated under Part 135 of Title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). On February 5, 1992, this AC 
was modified substantially with the issuance of AC 120-45A, ``Airplane 
Flight Training Device Qualification,'' which established the technical 
standards for devices for flight training, qualification, or 
certification of all airmen under 14 CFR. Since its publication, 
questions have been asked about the specific technical standards 
described in this revised document and the application of those 
standards for various levels of FTD, including the necessity for, and 
the source of, supporting and validation data used to evaluate and 
qualify FTD's. Other questions centered around the type and level of 
detail required for certain objective tests for some levels of FTD. 
Additional questions arose concerning devices currently in operation 
and authorized by the FAA, but not capable of meeting the stated 
technical criteria; ways which some of the specific technical standards 
may be met; and whether some of the personal computer-based training 
systems/aids may be qualified under this AC.
    AC 102-45A published specific technical criteria for FTD annotated 
as Levels 2 through 7. Level 1 was reserved for future use. Questions 
arose regarding the use of Level 1 as a broad-based ``parking place'' 
for unqualified FTDs currently in operation and for at least some of 
the personal computer-based training systems/aids. Many unanswered 
questions still remain about use of Level 1 for either or both of these 
two types of FTD and what technical standards should be required of 
them.

Meeting Procedures

    (1) Sign and oral interpretation can be made available at the 
meeting, as well as an assistive listening device, if requested from 
the NSPM at least 10 calendar days before the meeting.
    (2) Representatives of the FAA will preside over the meeting. FAA 
personnel involved in this issue will be present.
    (3) Meeting participants will be provided an opportunity to raise 
issues, ask questions, or make comments from the floor in relation to 
the topic under discussion. Comments received from persons not able to 
attend (but who mailed or faxed comments received on or prior to August 
22, 1995) will be read or summarized and read to those in attendance.
    (4) No formal meeting notes will be taken and no summary of 
proceedings will be made available.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 14, 1995.
Thomas C. Accardi,
Director, Flight Standards Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18272 Filed 7-24-95; 8:45 am]
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