ORA.FSTD.110 Modifications

GENERAL

(a)The FSTD, where applicable, should be maintained in a configuration that accurately represents the aircraft being simulated. This may be a specific aircraft tail number or may be a representation of a common standard.

(b)Users of the device should always establish a differences list for any device they intend to use, and to identify how any differences should be covered in training. In order to ensure each device is maintained in the appropriate configuration, the organisation operating an FSTD should have a system that ensures that all relevant airworthiness directives (ADs) are introduced where applicable on affected FSTDs.

(c)ADs from both the State of Design of the aircraft and the State where the FSTD is located should be monitored. ADs from the State of Design of an aircraft are usually automatically applicable, unless specifically varied by the aircraft’s State of Registry.

(d)Where appropriate, ADs issued by States where users of the device have aircraft registered should also be monitored. In addition to ADs, the FSTD operator should also put in place processes that ensure all aircraft modifications are reviewed for any effect on training, testing and checking. This can be achieved by reviewing the aircraft manufacturer’s service bulletins and may require a specific link to the aircraft manufacturer to be developed. In practice this link is often established through aircraft operators who use the device.

(e)Organisations operating FSTDs should notify the competent authority of major changes.

(f)This does not imply that the competent authority will always wish to directly evaluate the change. The competent authority should be mindful of the potential burden placed on the organisation by a special evaluation and should always consider that burden when deciding if such an evaluation is necessary.

(g)The organisation operating FSTDs should have an internal acceptance process for modifications, to be used when implementing all modifications, even if the competent authority has made a decision to carry out an evaluation.

EXAMPLES OF MAJOR MODIFICATIONS The following are examples of modifications that should be considered as major. This list is not exhaustive and modifications need to be classified on a case-by-case basis:

(a)any change that affects the QTG;

(b)introduction of new standards of equipment such as flight management and guidance computer (FMGC) and updated aerodynamic data packages;

(c)re-hosting of the FSTD software;

(d)introduction of features that model new training scenarios; e.g. airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS), EGPWS;

(e)aircraft modifications that could affect the FSTD qualification; and

(f)FSTD hardware or software modifications that could affect the handling qualities, performance or system representation.