14.2 Is sim time approved by the FAA?
From FlightSim
Be advised that while the PC has been approved as a base for getting a few logged sim hours, none of the flitesim programs generally used by the public has any form of approval, each individual installation must be approved on a case-by-case basis, lots of specialized, expensive (for home use) equipment must be added, including an enclosure.
Larry N.
I found a Flight Standards Advisory Circular on the FAA site
governing the FAA policy for manufacturers and users of PC based
simulators. I haven't read it yet because you need Adobe Reader to
view it. The location is www.faa.gov/avr/afs/acs/ac-idx.htm The
circular in question is AC No 61-126. It might be worth a look.
I downloaded Adobe Acrobat Reader and read the above document. It is 11 pages of specifications regarding controls, display rates and flight dynamics. The list of it is that Part 61 and 141 Training Schools can use a personal computer based aviation training device (PCATD) "in lieu of, and for not more than, 10 hours of time that ordinarily may be acquired in a flight simulator or flight training device authorized for use under part 61 or part 141." (So the document says.)
You can't use them for practical testing or for accomplishing decency of experience requirements. An authorized instructor has to conduct the training and full documentation of the training is required. There is an extensive set of physical controls required of which many are commercially available. Each manufacturer and software designer must meet the FAA's design criterion. This is a very creditable recognition of the advances in PC usage and while the direct application appears to be outside of the scope of the home PC'er it sure gives a break to the flying schools as I see it.
Keith
