General Aviation
Part IV flight training devices are those devices used by Flight Training Units (FTU) operating in accordance with a FTU Operating Certificate issued pursuant to Subpart 406 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR).
Flight training devices must meet the requirements of section 606.03 - Synthetic Flight Training Equipment, which states in part "No person shall use synthetic flight training equipment for pilot training or a pilot proficiency check required pursuant to Part IV, this Part or Part VII unless there is in force in respect of that equipment a flight simulator certificate or a flight training device certificate issued pursuant to subsection (2) ..."
Subsection 606.03(2) states "The Minister shall, where it is determined that the synthetic flight training equipment meets the standards set out for that equipment in the Aeroplane and Rotorcraft Simulator Manual, issue to the operator of that equipment a flight simulator certificate or a flight training device certificate."
Subsection 606.03(5) states in part "A certificate issued pursuant to subsection (2) remains in force where the synthetic flight training equipment in respect of which the certificate has been issued is re-evaluated
(b) in the case of a flight training device, at least every twelve (12) months."
Subsection 606.03 (6) states in part "Subject to subsection (7), the certificate referred to in subsection (5) remains in force:
(b) in the case of a flight training device, until the first day of the thirteenth month following the month in which the flight training device was evaluated."
Subsection 606.03(7) states "The Minister may extend the period in respect of which a flight simulator certificate or a flight training device certificate is in force by up to 60 days where the Minister is of the opinion that aviation safety is not likely to be affected.
In summary, for simulated flight training credits to be recognized for licences or ratings, FTU operators must meet the initial certification requirements for Level 2 or Level 5 FTDs and must annually verify that the FTD continues to meet the standards established at the initial certification.
Levels of Part IV FTDs
Level 1:
Level 1 flight training devices are those listed at the following website:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/aeroplane-rotorcraft-simulator-manual-tp-9685
The Level 1 FTDs listed are no longer approved or recognized for training credits. FTDs of this level must meet the requirements of this guide. FTD operators who, for one reason or another could not meet the qualification standards for Level 2 or Level 5 as described in this guide, but who had been previously approved for training credits, are eligible for an evaluation and qualification for Part IV Level 2 or Level 5 FTDs.
Level 2:
Level 2 FTDs are generic and do not represent a specific aircraft cockpit and need not refer to a specific aeroplane type.
Level 5:
Level 5 FTDs represent a specific cockpit for the aircraft represented.
Certification of Part IV FTDs
Flight training devices are required to maintain the levels of performance, functions of controls and other characteristics found during the initial qualification test. The recurrent validations of these FTDs will be completed in accordance to the validation procedures described in this guide for the initial and recurrent qualification tests.
On demand, the Minister shall verify the initial certification and issue a Flight Training Device Certificate. The Minister may verify recurrent validations.
An operator wanting to qualify a FTD must submit a completed Qualification Test Guide (TP 13799) (QTG) and a request for validation to the Regional Superintendent - Flight Training. In turn, a Transport Canada Inspector will schedule a validation using the submitted QTG. The ability to meet the requirements of section 5 of this guide must be satisfied prior to granting approval for qualification. When the qualification tests are satisfactorily completed and all discrepancies corrected, the Minister shall issue an FTD Identification Number and a Flight Training Device Certificate.
A QTG must be completed for each aircraft type to be represented during the planned training operations. Level 2 and Level 5 FTDs do not require a specific aerodynamic model, however, their performance must be compared to a reference set of validation data for initial qualification and for repeated recurrent evaluations. In the absence of a specific model, these devices may use a generic model typical of the aeroplane class represented.
Evaluation Policy
The FTD must be assessed in the areas critical to the accomplishment of pilot training and checking events. This landing. Crewmember stations and instructor station function checks and certain additional requirements must be assessed. The visual systems, if installed, will be evaluated to ensure their proper operation. It is intended that FTDs be evaluated as objectively as possible. During the Transport Canada validation, time will be spent evaluating certain tests from this guide. The aim of the Transport Canada evaluation is to validate the testing completed by the operator.
The following guidelines are provided for the initial and recurrent qualification tests:
- This sample QTG was originally prepared for a Level 2 FTD. The validation tests contained herein are the tests required for a Level 2 FTD. Data stated in the QTG are based on a generic C-172 aircraft (the same tests are required for a Level 5 FTD).
- A copy of this validation QTG is to be provided to the operator at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled validation visit of a Transport Canada Inspector. This sample QTG is meant to demonstrate the contents required by the simulator manual (TP 9685E) and is one example only.
- Validation Tests: Ensure you review the initial conditions in this sample and change them to reflect the way you wish to fly your device for the represented aircraft, ie. Weight, airspeeds, power and flap settings etc.
- The operator shall provide the assistance of two qualified persons to conduct the validation test. (One at the instructor console and one to fly the FTD)
- The operator is to ensure that a required suitable scale, attachment accessories and digital stopwatch are available to carry out the qualifying test.
- The operator is responsible to ensure that the FTD is fully operational at the time of the scheduled validation visit.
- The copy of this QTG validation test is to be retained in the FTD file by the operator for annual re-validation by the FTD operator.
- It is strongly recommended that a complete briefing of all personnel involved in the QTG validation take place before the test is initiated.
ANNEX 1 shall be completed to record the recurrent test prior to the submission of the annual letter of compliance to Transport Canada.
The QTG will be approved after completion of the initial or upgrade evaluation and all discrepancies in the QTG have been corrected. This document, after inclusion of the TC-witnessed test results, will become the Master Qualification Test Guide (MQTG). The MQTG will then remain in the custody of the operator for use in future recurrent qualifications.
Recurrent Evaluations
For a FTD to retain its qualification, it will be evaluated on a recurrent basis using the MQTG. Each recurrent evaluation will consist of function tests and at least a portion of the validation tests in the MQTG to confirm the functions of controls and the flight parameters are within tolerances of the results in the MQTG. The tolerances expressed are the maximum allowed by transport Canada and the data obtained during the initial qualification tests serve as a reference base for recurrent and special evaluations.
The recurrent evaluations will be planned for every six months with approximately one-half of the validation tests in the MQTG accomplished each time. This will allow all MQTG tests to be accomplished annually.
When the annual recurrent verifications have been completed and the results have been recorded in Annex 1, the operator shall submit a letter of compliance to the Regional Superintendent - Flight Training.
Changes to the FTD
If the FTD is transferred to another operator, is upgraded or moved to a new location, the following procedures should be followed:
- Notify the Regional Office of Transport Canada prior to the change;
- Prior to returning the FTD to service, the operator should compete a validation test and functions check. The results will be retained and presented for validation by Transport Canada.
Transport Canada may schedule a validation visit prior to issuing a new certificate.
Special Evaluations
Between recurring evaluations, if deficiencies are discovered or it becomes apparent that the FTD is not being maintained to initial qualification standards, a special evaluation may be conducted by the Minister to verify its status.
The FTD will lose its qualification when the Minister can no longer ascertain maintenance of the original validation criteria based on a recurrent or special evaluation. Additionally, the Minister shall advise the operator if a deficiency is jeopardizing training requirements and arrangements shall be made to resolve the deficiency in the most effective manner, including the withdrawal of approval by the Minister.