Training, more than just ticking the box

There's a paradox in our industry, whilst we are in the business of training flightcrews, what is all too often neglected is the need to have appropriately trained staff to manage our FSTDs and to demonstrate our ability to maintain regulatory compliance. Properly trained staff for our FSTD operations shouldn't be an afterthought, but, sadly whether it be through lack of budgets or lack of suitable training courses, it often is.

With this in mind at SIM OPS we have been putting together a comprehensive range of training courses specifically aimed at FSTD operators. We are rolling this out at Halldale’s European Aviation Training Symposium (EATS) in Cascais 4th - 6th November 2025.

Ahead of that we thought we would share what we have noticed recently and the areas that need attention, also why it is becoming more important to address.

It's not all about the maintenance team!

We’ve talked about maintenance technician training in past blogs and whilst important it's not where the issues are. Yes, we are well aware that some of the TDM’s training courses are not what they could be (and indeed we supply extra training to operators to make up for this) but once established teams are in place with an appropriate ongoing training plan the device maintenance is rarely an ongoing issue.

So let's look at where these “other” problems are coming from.

New FSTD Regulations are on the horizon

There can’t be many people in the industry who haven’t heard of the upcoming changes to the whole methodology of FSTD qualification basis under EASA, see our blog “a matter of an opinion”. However, there are not many FSTD organisations that we are aware of having commenced preparations even though the EASA opinion could become a published decision and therefore law early in 2026. Notwithstanding the implementation period, organisations do need to be prepared for the task-to-tool philosophy with the FSTD Capability Signature (FCS) implications to both FSTD qualification, FSTD operations, FSTD regulatory and management systems as well as training material organisation. 

This was wonderfully communicated by Marco Brandes, Managing Director of Clement Aviation Company, during his presentation “Competence of personnel still guaranteed with new regulations in hand?” at the recent Royal Aeronautical Society Flight Simulation Group conference held in London mid-October.

It’s similar to the upcoming requirement for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), but in this case it is actually already law for those under EASA jurisdiction with the implementation date heading towards us at frightening speed. Whilst we do have a few training sessions booked for this, a lot of the Accountable Managers and Compliance Managers we have interacted with recently, to paraphrase, say “yes you’re right, we need to get to that don’t we”.

Our courses have been designed with this in mind. For example, not every organisation has had the time or inclination to follow the journey from ICAO 9625 Revision 4 through to EASA’s “Opinion 01/2025 Update of the flight simulation training requirements” and ultimately into the new CS-FSTD. We did, and our courses are aimed at practical help based on the reality of the new methodologies. In particular we have put in place specific courses to guide FSTD operator post holders through these changes and what they need to do to prepare for them.

Change in Authorities’ focus

I’m sure many of us have experienced a scenario in the past where an FSTD is coming up for qualification and the programme is, how to put it, struggling time-wise. With the looming authority visit, a QTG has been "cobbled together” at the last moment and sent to the authority 30 days before, under the expectation that the authority will check it and tell them where it needs improving. The TDM then fixed the issues raised, ready for the qualification visit. 

That boat has sailed! EASA has been crystal clear that it isn’t their job to check your QTG for compliance but rather the operator’s to demonstrate that it has done so using appropriately experienced (trained) resources. This change of emphasis makes it more important than ever that the staff involved are fully conversant with the regulations and, just as importantly, how they apply to their organisation.

Of course, EASA’s change of emphasis and the need for trained staff is not new, Part ORA.GEN.210(c) & (d) Personnel requirements state that the organisation must have "sufficient qualified personnel for the planned tasks and activities" and must "maintain appropriate experience, qualification and training records" to show compliance. So evidently if the regulations change - then all involved need to be trained on the changes.

Our regulation courses are designed to ensure staff are prepared.

We have also seen a number of organisations aspiring to qualify for the EASA extended qualification period of 36 months in ORA.FSTD.225 Duration and continued validity. The hard law on this topic is very clear on the importance of an assigned person, to quote:

“An assigned person of the organisation with adequate experience reviews the regular reruns of the qualification test guide (QTG) and conducts the relevant functions and subjective tests every 12 months and sends a report of the results to the competent Authority.”

SIM OPS has a specific course aimed at preparing staff to undertake this role.

We’re putting together our training schedules for next year, so let us know your needs (whether in person or virtual courses) and we'll help you prepare for the coming changes. Drop us an email at info@sim-ops.com or come by our booth #112 at EATS.