[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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