Stage: Final Publications

Regulatory Agency Final Publications

FAA AC 33.17-1B, Engine Fire Protection § 33.17

This advisory circular (AC) provides definitions, guidance, and acceptable methods, but not the
only methods, to demonstrate compliance with the engine fire protection requirements of title 14
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR 33.17).

FAA Notice N 8900.738 OpSpec/14 CFR Part 125 LOA B045, Extended Overwater Operations Using a Single Long-Range Communication System

This notice announces mandatory revisions to Operations
Specification (OpSpec)/Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 125 Letter of
Authorization (LOA) B045, Extended Overwater Operations Using a Single Long-Range
Communication System. It also announces changes to guidance affecting 14 CFR parts 121,
121/135, 125 (including part 125 Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) holders), and 135
operators. This notice also requires Safety Assurance offices to notify affected operators holding
OpSpec/14 CFR part 125 LOA B045 about the changes

FAA N8900.737 Interim Guidance Based on the Amendments to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 5

This notice provides interim guidance related to the amendments to
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 5, Safety Management Systems,
effective May 28, 2024. The amendments to part 5 are applicable to existing and new applicants
for 14 CFR part 121; part 135; and part 91, § 91.147 commercial air tour operations. This notice
also provides guidance for new and existing participants in the Safety Management System
(SMS) Voluntary Program (SMSVP) that hold an existing Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) letter of acknowledgment and that are now required to comply with part 5.

EASA Opinion No 01/2025 Update of the flight simulation training device requirements

This Opinion proposes amendments to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 with the objective of introducing:

  • a new regulatory approach for qualification of flight simulation training devices (FSTDs), based on the FSTD capabilities and fidelity levels specified in the FSTD capability signature (FCS); and
  • a task-to-tool concept for aeroplane and helicopter type rating training and operator recurrent training.

With the proposed amendments, training providers will be required to identify the device capabilities and fidelity levels that are needed for training based on an analysis of training task objectives. In order to be able to use an FSTD qualified with an FCS, the FCS needs to have, for each FSTD feature, a fidelity level that is equal to or higher than the identified training FCS.

The proposed amendments are not expected to cause any changes to approved type rating training and already qualified FSTDs, which can still be used without any changes. The FCS framework can be applied by the training organisations and organisations operating the FSTD on a voluntary basis for FSTDs qualified before the new qualification basis becomes applicable.

After the new regulatory framework becomes applicable, FSTDs qualified with FCSs can be used in type rating training without any changes to the approved training programme by applying the corresponding equivalence between FSTDs qualified with types and levels and FSTDs qualified with FCSs. The proposed applicability of the new FCS framework is two years after the entry into force of the proposed amendments. During this period, EASA intends to support the stakeholders by organising an implementation support task.

The proposed amendments ensure harmonisation, as appropriate, with the guidance established in Doc 9625, Manual of criteria for the qualification of flight simulation training devices, by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).