Definition
An FAA-issued Advisory Circular titled 'Qualification, Service, and Use of a Basic Aviation Training Device and Advanced Aviation Training Device,' which provides guidance on the approval, operation, and acceptable use of Basic and Advanced Aviation Training Devices (BATDs and AATDs) for pilot training, testing, and experience credit.
Plain English
An official FAA guidance document that explains how simulator-style training devices can be approved and used to count toward pilot training and flight experience requirements.
Context Anchor
You may see this cited in aviation training material, especially when a school or instructor discusses computer-based training devices.
Derivation
An Advisory Circular is the FAA's standard form of non-regulatory guidance — 'advisory' meaning it advises rather than commands, 'circular' meaning it is circulated to the aviation community. The number 61-126 places it in the 61-series, which covers airmen certification topics under 14 CFR Part 61.
Why Pilots Care
Gives instructors and pilots clear, practical direction that supports safe operations and consistent training standards.
Intuition Check
Advisory does not mean “unimportant.” It means the document is guidance, not a regulation by itself, but it can still show an FAA-accepted way to handle a training issue.
Example Sentence 1
The flight school's BATD was approved under AC 61-126, allowing students to log instrument training time on it.
Example Sentence 2
A student pilot can read AC 61-126 to see how the FAA suggests structuring scenario-based training.