Prováděcí nařízení Komise (EU) 2026/781 ze dne 8. dubna 2026, kterým se mění nařízení (EU) č. 1178/2011 a (EU) č. 965/2012, pokud jde o požadavky na zařízení pro výcvik pomocí letové simulace a používání těchto zařízení pro výcvik, zkoušky a přezkušování pilotů

Identifier:: 32026R0781
Status:: effective
Text language:: en

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, p. 1 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1139/oj. , and in particular Article 23, Article 27(1) and Article 31(1) thereof,

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 is amended as follows:

Member States and EASA shall, when reissuing FSTD qualification certificates in accordance with the requirements of Annex VI (Part-ARA) for FSTDs that were qualified in accordance with certification specifications applicable before 30 April 2028 , take the following steps:

(a) upon application by the certificate holder, complete the section FSTD capability signature (FCS) of the certificate:(i) in the case of FFSs that were qualified in accordance with JAR-STD 1A amendment 3 or the JAR-STD 1H initial issue or later, in the case of FTDs level 2 (FTD 2) and level 3 (FTD 3) that were qualified in accordance with the JAR-STD 2A initial issue or the JAR-STD 2H initial issue or later and in the case of FNPTs that were qualified in accordance with JAR-STD 3A change 1 or the JAR-STD 3H initial issue or later, with either of the following entries:(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA);(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ; (ii) in the case of FFSs, FTD 2, FTD 3 and FNPTs other than those specified in point (a)(i), with either of the following entries:(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA), after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the certification specifications referred to in point (a)(i), as applicable;(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ; (iii) in the case of FTDs level 1 (FTD 1), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;(iv) in any case where an FSTD has been qualified using special conditions in accordance with point ARA.FSTD.100(h)(1) of Annex VI (Part-ARA), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(i) in the case of FFSs that were qualified in accordance with JAR-STD 1A amendment 3 or the JAR-STD 1H initial issue or later, in the case of FTDs level 2 (FTD 2) and level 3 (FTD 3) that were qualified in accordance with the JAR-STD 2A initial issue or the JAR-STD 2H initial issue or later and in the case of FNPTs that were qualified in accordance with JAR-STD 3A change 1 or the JAR-STD 3H initial issue or later, with either of the following entries:(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA);(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(ii) in the case of FFSs, FTD 2, FTD 3 and FNPTs other than those specified in point (a)(i), with either of the following entries:(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA), after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the certification specifications referred to in point (a)(i), as applicable;(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(iii) in the case of FTDs level 1 (FTD 1), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(iv) in any case where an FSTD has been qualified using special conditions in accordance with point ARA.FSTD.100(h)(1) of Annex VI (Part-ARA), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA), after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the certification specifications referred to in point (a)(i), as applicable;

(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(b) in all other cases, where the conditions set out in point (a)(i)-(iv) are not met:(i) reissue the FSTD qualification certificate without completing the section FSTD capability signature (FCS);(ii) when reissuing FSTD qualification certificates for BITDs, include the FSTD specifications set out in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), as applicable until 29 April 2028 ;

(i) reissue the FSTD qualification certificate without completing the section FSTD capability signature (FCS);

(ii) when reissuing FSTD qualification certificates for BITDs, include the FSTD specifications set out in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), as applicable until 29 April 2028 ;

(c) before reissuing an FSTD qualification certificate with an FCS in accordance with point (a), inform the applicant of the result of the re-evaluation.

When acting in accordance with paragraph 2, point (a), in cases where an FSTD is qualified to multiple FSTD qualification types and levels that simulate the same aircraft type, Member States and EASA shall merge those FSTD qualification certificates into a single FSTD qualification certificate with one FCS or one assigned FCS. In such cases, Member States and EASA shall take the following steps:

(a) if an FSTD meets the qualification basis referred to in paragraph 2, point (a)(i), carry out one of the following:(i) take the highest fidelity level for each feature, resulting from a comparison of the assigned FCS for each qualification;(ii) if the FSTD certificate holder applies for an FCS, determine the FCS after an evaluation of the FSTD;

(i) take the highest fidelity level for each feature, resulting from a comparison of the assigned FCS for each qualification;

(ii) if the FSTD certificate holder applies for an FCS, determine the FCS after an evaluation of the FSTD;

(b) if an FSTD does not meet the qualification basis referred to in paragraph 2, point (a)(i), for each qualification certificate, the Member State and EASA shall issue the FSTD qualification certificate with an FCS or an assigned FCS that is determined in accordance with paragraph 2 point (a), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable.

Member States and EASA shall replace, no later than 30 October 2029 , the existing FSTD qualification certificates with certificates complying with the format laid down in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), provided that they received and reviewed the following:

(a) the ESL;

(b) a statement confirming that the organisation has established compliance with Part-ORA, Subpart FSTD, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 .

When replacing the existing FSTD qualification certificates in accordance with the first subparagraph of this paragraph, Member States and EASA shall act in accordance with paragraph 2. When the Member States and EASA issue the FSTD qualification certificate in accordance with the format laid down in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), the ESL developed for that FSTD certificate shall become part of the FSTD qualification.

Holders of FSTD qualification certificates shall, for each FSTD qualification certificate other than those for BITDs, develop an ESL and submit it to the competent authority, together with a statement confirming that the organisation has established compliance with Subpart FSTD of Annex VII (Part-ORA), as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781, in the following cases:

(a) when applying for the reissuance of the certificate in accordance with the requirements of Annex VII (Part-ORA);

(b) when the FSTD is intended to be used for the conduct of training in accordance with Annex I (Part-FCL) to this Regulation or the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, in accordance with a new or amended training programme;

A BITD qualification certificate shall remain valid subject to recurrent evaluations, which shall be carried out by the competent authority every 3 years.

The requirements of this Regulation that include a reference to FSTD types and levels shall be applied to FSTDs with an FCS or an assigned FCS in accordance with point FCL.036 of Annex I (Part-FCL).

OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, p. 1 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1139/oj.

(1) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1178/oj). lays down the requirements for the use of flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) in pilot type training, testing and checking.

(2) Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 296, 25.10.2012, p. 1 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/965/oj). lays down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations and, in particular, the requirements for the use of FSTDs in operator recurrent training.

(3) Ever since Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 started applying, the formal FSTD qualification, as characterised by FSTD types and levels, has determined the extent to which an FSTD can be used for pilot training, testing and checking. Considering the evolution of and innovations in FSTD technology, the provisions on the use of FSTDs for type rating and operator recurrent training, as applicable, should be revised to allow for a particular training task and the use of the most suitable FSTD based on its technical capabilities, referred to as an FSTD capability signature (FCS).

(4) The provisions on the use of FSTDs in type rating and operator recurrent training in Regulations (EU) No 1178/2011 and (EU) No 965/2012 should be amended to establish the necessary simulation features and fidelity levels required to support training tasks and to allow for more flexibility when determining the suitable FSTDs for those tasks. Those amendments should take into account guidance material published by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which recommends basing FSTD qualification on criteria related to simulation features and fidelity levels.

(5) When introducing the FCS for qualified FSTDs, appropriate transitional provisions should be put in place to ensure a smooth transition from the current to the future applicable requirements for existing FSTDs, while at the same time supporting the implementation of the FCS by industry as soon as possible.

(6) The application of the amendments introducing the FCS should be deferred, to give Member States’ competent authorities the time required to prepare for their implementation.

(7) Since the requirements of Regulations (EU) No 1178/2011 and (EU) No 965/2012 on training other than type rating training will continue to refer to particular FSTD types and levels, requirements should be put in place to determine the equivalence between FSTDs qualified with types and levels and FSTDs qualified with FCSs.

(8) The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has prepared draft implementing rules and submitted them to the Commission with Opinion No 01/2025 in accordance with Article 75(2), points (b) and (c), and Article 76(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 127(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139,

(1) Article 2 is amended as follows:(a) point (20) is replaced by the following:(20) Flight simulation training device (FSTD) means a device for pilot training, testing and checking whose qualification certificate includes an FSTD capability signature or an assigned FSTD capability signature, or a legacy FSTD;; (b) point (23) is replaced by the following:(23) Qualification test guide (QTG) means a document established to demonstrate that the FSTD complies with the prescribed tolerances and applicable requirements of the primary reference document(s) for the simulated aircraft type or group of aircraft;; (c) the following points (26) to (43) are added:(26) CS-FSTD means the certification specifications for FSTDs issued by the Agency in accordance with point ORA.FSTD.205 of Annex VII (Part-ORA);(27) FSTD capability signature (FCS) means the information that is endorsed on an FSTD qualification certificate, indicating the features and their fidelity levels as well as the aircraft simulated by that FSTD in accordance with CS-FSTD Issue 1 or later;(28) Assigned FSTD capability signature (assigned FCS) means the information that is endorsed on the FSTD qualification certificate, indicating the features and the fidelity levels as well as the aircraft simulated by that FSTD, where that FSTD has not been qualified in accordance with CS-FSTD Issue 1;(29) Equipment specification list (ESL) means a list that is part of the FSTD qualification and provides accurate and comprehensive information regarding the device qualification and its qualification basis, installed equipment, capabilities and specifications;(30) Primary reference document (PRD) means the technical specification or set of technical specifications used to establish the qualification basis for an FSTD;(31) Initial evaluation means the first assessment by the competent authority to determine whether an FSTD performs to the standard of the relevant qualification basis;(32) Validation data means the ground and flight test data, engineering data and other applicable sources used to objectively confirm that the FSTD reflects the static as well as the dynamic handling and performance characteristics of the simulated aircraft and its relevant systems;(33) Verification means, in the context of FSTDs, the process to ensure that an FSTD meets the applicable technical qualification requirements;(34) Recurrent evaluation means the periodic assessment by the competent authority subsequent to the initial evaluation to establish whether an FSTD continues to perform to the standard of the relevant qualification basis;(35) Special evaluation means any assessment by the competent authority of an FSTD other than the initial and recurrent evaluations;(36) Item means, in the context of FSTDs, non-compliance of an FSTD with respect to the applicable requirements of its qualification basis;(37) Modification means, in the context of FSTDs, a change to an FSTD;(38) Validation, in the context of FSTDs, means the process of assessing the capabilities of an FSTD for training, testing and checking;(39) Legacy FSTD means an FSTD whose qualification certificate does not include an FCS or assigned FCS and is either of the following:(a) for aeroplanes, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD), a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) or a basic instrument training device (BITD);(b) for helicopters, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD) or a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT); (40) Group of aircraft means, in the context of FSTDs, aircraft that have similar handling and operational characteristics;(41) Validation data roadmap means a document that identifies, in a matrix format, the source or sources of data for all required objective tests of an FSTD together with the applicable rationales or explanations;(42) Engineering report means a document produced by the FSTD manufacturer to describe the data and methods used to design and verify an FSTD against the applicable qualification basis;(43) Fly-out means a simulated flight performed during the conduct of the function and subjective tests of an FSTD contained in the master QTG (MQTG) by a suitably qualified pilot.;

(a) point (20) is replaced by the following:(20) Flight simulation training device (FSTD) means a device for pilot training, testing and checking whose qualification certificate includes an FSTD capability signature or an assigned FSTD capability signature, or a legacy FSTD;;

(b) point (23) is replaced by the following:(23) Qualification test guide (QTG) means a document established to demonstrate that the FSTD complies with the prescribed tolerances and applicable requirements of the primary reference document(s) for the simulated aircraft type or group of aircraft;;

(c) the following points (26) to (43) are added:(26) CS-FSTD means the certification specifications for FSTDs issued by the Agency in accordance with point ORA.FSTD.205 of Annex VII (Part-ORA);(27) FSTD capability signature (FCS) means the information that is endorsed on an FSTD qualification certificate, indicating the features and their fidelity levels as well as the aircraft simulated by that FSTD in accordance with CS-FSTD Issue 1 or later;(28) Assigned FSTD capability signature (assigned FCS) means the information that is endorsed on the FSTD qualification certificate, indicating the features and the fidelity levels as well as the aircraft simulated by that FSTD, where that FSTD has not been qualified in accordance with CS-FSTD Issue 1;(29) Equipment specification list (ESL) means a list that is part of the FSTD qualification and provides accurate and comprehensive information regarding the device qualification and its qualification basis, installed equipment, capabilities and specifications;(30) Primary reference document (PRD) means the technical specification or set of technical specifications used to establish the qualification basis for an FSTD;(31) Initial evaluation means the first assessment by the competent authority to determine whether an FSTD performs to the standard of the relevant qualification basis;(32) Validation data means the ground and flight test data, engineering data and other applicable sources used to objectively confirm that the FSTD reflects the static as well as the dynamic handling and performance characteristics of the simulated aircraft and its relevant systems;(33) Verification means, in the context of FSTDs, the process to ensure that an FSTD meets the applicable technical qualification requirements;(34) Recurrent evaluation means the periodic assessment by the competent authority subsequent to the initial evaluation to establish whether an FSTD continues to perform to the standard of the relevant qualification basis;(35) Special evaluation means any assessment by the competent authority of an FSTD other than the initial and recurrent evaluations;(36) Item means, in the context of FSTDs, non-compliance of an FSTD with respect to the applicable requirements of its qualification basis;(37) Modification means, in the context of FSTDs, a change to an FSTD;(38) Validation, in the context of FSTDs, means the process of assessing the capabilities of an FSTD for training, testing and checking;(39) Legacy FSTD means an FSTD whose qualification certificate does not include an FCS or assigned FCS and is either of the following:(a) for aeroplanes, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD), a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) or a basic instrument training device (BITD);(b) for helicopters, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD) or a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT); (40) Group of aircraft means, in the context of FSTDs, aircraft that have similar handling and operational characteristics;(41) Validation data roadmap means a document that identifies, in a matrix format, the source or sources of data for all required objective tests of an FSTD together with the applicable rationales or explanations;(42) Engineering report means a document produced by the FSTD manufacturer to describe the data and methods used to design and verify an FSTD against the applicable qualification basis;(43) Fly-out means a simulated flight performed during the conduct of the function and subjective tests of an FSTD contained in the master QTG (MQTG) by a suitably qualified pilot.;

(23) Qualification test guide (QTG) means a document established to demonstrate that the FSTD complies with the prescribed tolerances and applicable requirements of the primary reference document(s) for the simulated aircraft type or group of aircraft;;

(26) CS-FSTD means the certification specifications for FSTDs issued by the Agency in accordance with point ORA.FSTD.205 of Annex VII (Part-ORA);

(a) for aeroplanes, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD), a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) or a basic instrument training device (BITD);

(b) for helicopters, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD) or a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT);

(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA);

(20) Flight simulation training device (FSTD) means a device for pilot training, testing and checking whose qualification certificate includes an FSTD capability signature or an assigned FSTD capability signature, or a legacy FSTD;;

(27) FSTD capability signature (FCS) means the information that is endorsed on an FSTD qualification certificate, indicating the features and their fidelity levels as well as the aircraft simulated by that FSTD in accordance with CS-FSTD Issue 1 or later;

(28) Assigned FSTD capability signature (assigned FCS) means the information that is endorsed on the FSTD qualification certificate, indicating the features and the fidelity levels as well as the aircraft simulated by that FSTD, where that FSTD has not been qualified in accordance with CS-FSTD Issue 1;

(29) Equipment specification list (ESL) means a list that is part of the FSTD qualification and provides accurate and comprehensive information regarding the device qualification and its qualification basis, installed equipment, capabilities and specifications;

(30) Primary reference document (PRD) means the technical specification or set of technical specifications used to establish the qualification basis for an FSTD;

(31) Initial evaluation means the first assessment by the competent authority to determine whether an FSTD performs to the standard of the relevant qualification basis;

(32) Validation data means the ground and flight test data, engineering data and other applicable sources used to objectively confirm that the FSTD reflects the static as well as the dynamic handling and performance characteristics of the simulated aircraft and its relevant systems;

(33) Verification means, in the context of FSTDs, the process to ensure that an FSTD meets the applicable technical qualification requirements;

(34) Recurrent evaluation means the periodic assessment by the competent authority subsequent to the initial evaluation to establish whether an FSTD continues to perform to the standard of the relevant qualification basis;

(35) Special evaluation means any assessment by the competent authority of an FSTD other than the initial and recurrent evaluations;

(2) in Article 10b, the following paragraphs are added:2.Member States and EASA shall, when reissuing FSTD qualification certificates in accordance with the requirements of Annex VI (Part-ARA) for FSTDs that were qualified in accordance with certification specifications applicable before 30 April 2028 , take the following steps: (a) upon application by the certificate holder, complete the section FSTD capability signature (FCS) of the certificate:(i) in the case of FFSs that were qualified in accordance with JAR-STD 1A amendment 3 or the JAR-STD 1H initial issue or later, in the case of FTDs level 2 (FTD 2) and level 3 (FTD 3) that were qualified in accordance with the JAR-STD 2A initial issue or the JAR-STD 2H initial issue or later and in the case of FNPTs that were qualified in accordance with JAR-STD 3A change 1 or the JAR-STD 3H initial issue or later, with either of the following entries:(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA);(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ; (ii) in the case of FFSs, FTD 2, FTD 3 and FNPTs other than those specified in point (a)(i), with either of the following entries:(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA), after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the certification specifications referred to in point (a)(i), as applicable;(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ; (iii) in the case of FTDs level 1 (FTD 1), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;(iv) in any case where an FSTD has been qualified using special conditions in accordance with point ARA.FSTD.100(h)(1) of Annex VI (Part-ARA), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ; (b) in all other cases, where the conditions set out in point (a)(i)-(iv) are not met:(i) reissue the FSTD qualification certificate without completing the section FSTD capability signature (FCS);(ii) when reissuing FSTD qualification certificates for BITDs, include the FSTD specifications set out in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), as applicable until 29 April 2028 ; (c) before reissuing an FSTD qualification certificate with an FCS in accordance with point (a), inform the applicant of the result of the re-evaluation. 3.When acting in accordance with paragraph 2, point (a), in cases where an FSTD is qualified to multiple FSTD qualification types and levels that simulate the same aircraft type, Member States and EASA shall merge those FSTD qualification certificates into a single FSTD qualification certificate with one FCS or one assigned FCS. In such cases, Member States and EASA shall take the following steps: (a) if an FSTD meets the qualification basis referred to in paragraph 2, point (a)(i), carry out one of the following:(i) take the highest fidelity level for each feature, resulting from a comparison of the assigned FCS for each qualification;(ii) if the FSTD certificate holder applies for an FCS, determine the FCS after an evaluation of the FSTD; (b) if an FSTD does not meet the qualification basis referred to in paragraph 2, point (a)(i), for each qualification certificate, the Member State and EASA shall issue the FSTD qualification certificate with an FCS or an assigned FCS that is determined in accordance with paragraph 2 point (a), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable. 4.Member States and EASA shall replace, no later than 30 October 2029 , the existing FSTD qualification certificates with certificates complying with the format laid down in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), provided that they received and reviewed the following: (a) the ESL;(b) a statement confirming that the organisation has established compliance with Part-ORA, Subpart FSTD, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 . When replacing the existing FSTD qualification certificates in accordance with the first subparagraph of this paragraph, Member States and EASA shall act in accordance with paragraph 2. When the Member States and EASA issue the FSTD qualification certificate in accordance with the format laid down in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), the ESL developed for that FSTD certificate shall become part of the FSTD qualification. 5.Holders of FSTD qualification certificates shall, for each FSTD qualification certificate other than those for BITDs, develop an ESL and submit it to the competent authority, together with a statement confirming that the organisation has established compliance with Subpart FSTD of Annex VII (Part-ORA), as amended by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781, in the following cases: (a) when applying for the reissuance of the certificate in accordance with the requirements of Annex VII (Part-ORA);(b) when the FSTD is intended to be used for the conduct of training in accordance with Annex I (Part-FCL) to this Regulation or the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, in accordance with a new or amended training programme;(c) no later than 30 April 2029 . 6.A BITD qualification certificate shall remain valid subject to recurrent evaluations, which shall be carried out by the competent authority every 3 years. 7.The requirements of this Regulation that include a reference to FSTD types and levels shall be applied to FSTDs with an FCS or an assigned FCS in accordance with point FCL.036 of Annex I (Part-FCL). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 of 8 April 2026 amending Regulations (EU) No 1178/2011 and (EU) No 965/2012 as regards the requirements applicable to flight simulation training devices and the use of those devices for pilot training, testing and checking (OJ L, 2026/781, 10.4.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/781/oj).;

(c) before reissuing an FSTD qualification certificate with an FCS in accordance with point (a), inform the applicant of the result of the re-evaluation.

(iii) in the case of FTDs level 1 (FTD 1), with the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(i) reissue the FSTD qualification certificate without completing the section FSTD capability signature (FCS);

(ii) when reissuing FSTD qualification certificates for BITDs, include the FSTD specifications set out in Appendix IV to Annex VI (Part-ARA), as applicable until 29 April 2028 ;

(i) take the highest fidelity level for each feature, resulting from a comparison of the assigned FCS for each qualification;

(ii) if the FSTD certificate holder applies for an FCS, determine the FCS after an evaluation of the FSTD;

(a) the ESL;

(b) a statement confirming that the organisation has established compliance with Part-ORA, Subpart FSTD, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 .

(a) when applying for the reissuance of the certificate in accordance with the requirements of Annex VII (Part-ORA);

(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(36) Item means, in the context of FSTDs, non-compliance of an FSTD with respect to the applicable requirements of its qualification basis;

(1) an assigned FCS in accordance with Appendix IX to Annex VI (Part-ARA);

(37) Modification means, in the context of FSTDs, a change to an FSTD;

(2) the FCS, after an evaluation of the FSTD in accordance with the CS-FSTD applicable as of 30 April 2028 ;

(38) Validation, in the context of FSTDs, means the process of assessing the capabilities of an FSTD for training, testing and checking;

(39) Legacy FSTD means an FSTD whose qualification certificate does not include an FCS or assigned FCS and is either of the following:(a) for aeroplanes, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD), a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) or a basic instrument training device (BITD);(b) for helicopters, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD) or a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT);

(40) Group of aircraft means, in the context of FSTDs, aircraft that have similar handling and operational characteristics;

(41) Validation data roadmap means a document that identifies, in a matrix format, the source or sources of data for all required objective tests of an FSTD together with the applicable rationales or explanations;

(42) Engineering report means a document produced by the FSTD manufacturer to describe the data and methods used to design and verify an FSTD against the applicable qualification basis;

(43) Fly-out means a simulated flight performed during the conduct of the function and subjective tests of an FSTD contained in the master QTG (MQTG) by a suitably qualified pilot.;

(3) Annex I is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation;

(4) Annex VI is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation;

(5) Annex VII is amended in accordance with Annex III to this Regulation;

(6) Annex VIII is amended in accordance with Annex IV to this Regulation.

Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 is amended as follows:

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1178/oj).

Article 1 Article 1

Article 2 Article 2

Article 3 Article 3

(1) Annex I is amended in accordance with Annex V to this Regulation;

(2) Annex III is amended in accordance with Annex VI to this Regulation.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

It shall apply from 30 April 2028 .

However, points (5) [FCL.740.H], (6) [point FCL.930.TRI] and (7) [point FCL.935.TRI] of Annex I shall apply from 30 April 2026 .

Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 296, 25.10.2012, p. 1 , ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/965/oj).

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 of 8 April 2026 amending Regulations (EU) No 1178/2011 and (EU) No 965/2012 as regards the requirements applicable to flight simulation training devices and the use of those devices for pilot training, testing and checking (OJ L, 2026/781, 10.4.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/781/oj).;

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: