Appendix E Maneuvers and Tasks Yes/No/NA iv) Vertical
v) Running
c) In-Flight Operation
1) AIRPLANE In-Flight Operation
i) Climb
(a) Normal and max. performance
(b) One-engine-inoperative procedures (multiengine) ii) Cruise
(a) Performance characteristics (speed vs. power)
(b) Normal and steep turns
(c) Approach to stalls (i.e., stall warning) , stalls, and recovery.
Execute from takeoff, cruise, and approach and landing configurations.
(d) In-flight engine shutdown (multiengine)
(e) Fuel selector function
(f) In-flight engine start iii) Approach
(a) Normal (with and without flaps) (check gear warning, if applicable)
(b) Best glide no power iv) Landings
2) HELICOPTER In-Flight Operation
i) Hovering and air taxi
(a) Forward
(b) Rearward
(c) Sideward
(d) Turns ii) Climb iii) Cruise
(a) Performance characteristics (speed vs. power) E-2
Appendix E Maneuvers and Tasks Yes/No/NA
(b) Turns
(i) Recovery
(ii) Skidding
(iii) Slipping
(iv) Steep turns
(c) In-flight engine shutdown and start (multiengine)
(d) Descents
(e) Straight in and 180º autorotation
(f) Landings
d) Instrument Approaches
1) Nonprecision
i) GPS and LPV ii) GPS-WAAS (optional) iii) All engines operating iv) One or more engines inoperative
v) Approach procedures (VOR, VOR/DME, LOC procedures on an ILS, LDA, RNAV (RDP) or RNAV (GPS) to LNAV, LNAV/VNAV or LPV)
2) Precision
i) ILS ii) GLS (optional) iii) Effects of crosswind iv) With engine inoperative (multiengine)
v) Missed approach
(a) Normal
(b) With engine(s) inoperative (multiengine)
e) Surface Operations
1) AIRPLANE Surface Operations (Post Landing)
i) Approach and landing roll ii) Braking operation E-3
Appendix E Maneuvers and Tasks Yes/No/NA iii) Reverse thrust operation, if applicable
2) HELICOPTER Surface Operations
i) Landings ii) Landing area operations
f) HELICOPTER Emergency Operations
1) Power failure at hover
2) Power failure at altitude
3) System and equipment malfunctions
4) Settling with power (optional)
5) Low rotor RPM recovery (optional)
6) Antitorque system failure
7) Dynamic rollover (optional)
g) Any Flight Phase
1) Aircraft and Powerplant Systems
i) Electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic ii) Flaps (airplane) iii) Fuel selector and oil temp/pressure iv) Landing gear (if applicable)
2) Flight Management and Guidance Systems
i) Autopilot (if standard equipment) ii) Flight director (AATD only)/system displays (if installed) iii) Navigation systems iv) Stall warning systems avoidance (airplane)
v) Multi-function displays (if applicable)
3) Airborne Procedures
i) Holding ii) Uncoordinated turns – slipping and skidding demo E-4
Appendix E Maneuvers and Tasks Yes/No/NA iii) Configuration and power changes and resulting pitch changes
iv) Compass turns and appropriate errors (if installed)
4) Engine Shutdown and Parking
i) Systems operation ii) Parking brake operation (if installed) (airplane)
h) Can simulate engine failure, including failures due to simulated loss of oil pressure or fuel starvation.
i) Can simulate the following equipment or system failures:
1) Alternator or generator failure.
2) Vacuum pump/pressure failure and the associated flight instrument failures.
3) Gyroscopic flight instrument failures.
4) Pitot/static system malfunction and the associated flight instrument failures.
5) Electronic flight deck display malfunctions.
6) Landing gear (if retractable) or flap malfunctions.
j) Independent Instructor Station Requirements (AATD Only)
1) Displays published airways and holding patterns.
2) Displays aircraft position and track.
3) Displays aircraft altitude and speed.
4) Displays NAVAIDs and airports.
5) Can record and replay aircraft ground track history for entire training session.
6) Can invoke instrument or equipment failures.
E-5
Appendix E E.2 Requesting FAA Approval of ATD. The manufacturer of an ATD must include this completed checklist in the QAG and indicate that maneuver or function is executable in the trainer. In some instances, it can be indicated as not applicable (NA) such as multiengine or helicopter requirements. The letter of application signed by the manufacturer must be submitted to the General Aviation and Commercial Division (per Appendix A, General Information), along with a complete QAG describing how the training device meets basic aviation training device (BATD) approval criteria listed in Appendix B, and if applicable the additional advanced aviation training device (AATD) approval criteria listed in Appendix C. The manufacturer must also submit at the time of application an operations manual for the trainer.
E-6
Appendix E Figure E-1. Example Application Letter Requesting Evaluation Dear [Name of FAA ATD Program Manager]: Date:
[Name of manufacturer] requests an evaluation of its [ATD model name] [basic or advanced] aviation training device for approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at:
[Location and address where the functional evaluation is requested].
This training device is fully described in the accompanying Qualification and Approval Guide (QAG) and is completely operational and available for FAA evaluation. The [model name] has been evaluated and tested by [manufacturer name] and appears to meet the minimum criteria for approval as a (BATD or AATD).
The following [manufacturer’s name] personnel have assessed this training device as compliant:
Name Qualification & Title Pilot Name Qualification & Title And attest that:
This training device effectively represents a [category, class, and model aircraft] and the associated systems and subsystems found in that aircraft. Additionally, the performance and handling qualities have been evaluated and adequately represent the category, class, and model of aircraft. The [model name] contains the minimum design features required for a basic aviation training device (BATD), or advanced aviation training device (AATD), as described in Advisory Circular (AC) 61-136, FAA Approval of Aviation Training Devices and Their Use for Training and Experience.
Sincerely, [Signature of Manufacturer or Authorized Representative] [Printed Name of Signatory and contact information, including address, phone number, and email] Enclosures – QAG and Operations Manual for [manufacturer, model name of training device] E-7
Appendix E E.3 ATD Approval Process Summary.
E.3.1 The manufacturer provides the General Aviation and Commercial Division an application letter, QAG, operations manual, and demonstration video for evaluation, via email with text files attached at least 90 days in advance (120 days recommended). Email is the preferred correspondence method. Videos should be provided via YouTube link. Send correspondence and documents to the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov.
E.3.2 If the application letter and QAG are found to be initially incomplete or inadequate, then the FAA will contact the manufacturer describing the needed revisions.
E.3.3 When a qualifying QAG is submitted and found adequate, the FAA will request that a video be submitted to the FAA accomplishing tasks identified in the task table (see Table E-1). After FAA review of the demonstration video, if it appears that the trainer qualifies, an aviation safety inspector (ASI) will be scheduled to conduct an on-site functional evaluation of the training device.
E.3.4 If the functional evaluation results are successful, the FAA will issue a letter of authorization (LOA) to manufacturer in approximately 30 days.
E.3.5 If the evaluation results are found unacceptable, the FAA evaluator will notify the manufacturer of the discrepancies for correction, and will plan to accomplish a followup inspection when the manufacturer has resolved those discrepancies.
E.3.6 When a successful functional evaluation is accomplished, the General Aviation and Commercial Division will issue an LOA along with the FAA-approved QAG to the manufacturer via FedEx envelope, regular mail, and/or email.
E.4 Previously Approved Training Devices Seeking a New LOA.
E.4.1 The manufacturer sends a QAG and a separate formal letter requesting evaluation and approval via regular mail or as text word files attached to an email to the FAA (General Aviation and Commercial Division) using the normal evaluation request procedures described by this AC. The request should include a copy of the previous LOA, as well as a contact phone number and email address.
1. Email is the preferred correspondence method at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov.
2. See Appendix A, paragraph A.5, Previously Approved Devices, for information concerning devices that have not previously been approved as either an AATD or BATD.
E-8
Appendix E E.4.2 The FAA receives the previous LOA, revised QAG, and application letter requesting evaluation and approval of the manufacturer’s previously approved training device. The general procedures listed in paragraph E.3 will apply. The FAA will consider previous applications, evaluations, and reviews conducted for the training device in determining whether an additional operational evaluation is necessary.
E-9
Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFS-140-Directives@faa.gov.
Subject: AC 61-136B, FAA Approval of Aviation Training Devices and Their Use for Training and Experience Date: _____________________ Please check all appropriate line items:
An error (procedural or typographical) has been noted in paragraph ____________ on page _______.
Recommend paragraph _____________ on page __________ be changed as follows:
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ In a future change to this AC, please cover the following subject:
(Briefly describe what you want added.)
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Other comments:
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ I would like to discuss the above. Please contact me.
Submitted by: Date: ______________________