Stage: Final Publications

Regulatory Agency Final Publications

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).

FAA Notice N8900.733 Implementation of Section 807 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: Response to Letter of Investigation

This notice announces a new time for reply period in which certain
individuals who receive a Letter of Investigation (LOI) may provide a response. With immediate
effect, an applicable individual who is provided an LOI is entitled to 30 days after receipt to
provide comments on the incident to the investigating office. This notice contains guidance that
is pertinent to Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) Chapter 447.

FAA Notice N8900_732 Implementation of Powered-Lift

This notice provides updates to the list of documents that have
published, and will publish, in support of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
Part 194, Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 120—Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and
Training; Operations Requirements.