FAA doubles allowable sim time for instrument training

The FAA has released its final rule making it possible, once again, for pilots training for the instrument rating to count up to 20 hours of use in an approved aviation training device (ATD) toward their time requirements.

“The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) pushed strongly for all of these changes,” said David Oord, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs. “The new provisions will benefit the safety of training while significantly reducing the costs associated with it. Training using simulation has proven to be safe, effective, and economical for commercial aviation and we support its increased use in GA flight training.”

Allowances have been increased for Part 141 programs, as well. Students training for an instrument rating in a Part 141 program may now credit no more than 40% of training toward total time requirements in an ATD – previously limited to only 10 percent.

The now-final rule drops a requirement for students to wear a view-limiting device when logging instrument time in an approved ATD, if the student is operating solely by reference to the instruments and the device is representing instrument meteorological conditions.

“AOPA supported this view, stating that simulator training for an instrument rating allows instructors to provide a safer, more effective training experience,” the final rule notes.