Definition
A training device, approved by the FAA, that replicates aircraft instruments, equipment, panels, and controls in an open or enclosed cockpit area, used for pilot training, checking, and certain experience credit toward pilot certificates and ratings. Aviation Training Devices are categorized as either Basic (BATD) or Advanced (AATD), based on the level of fidelity and the training credit allowed.
Plain English
A ground-based training unit, approved by the FAA, that imitates a real cockpit closely enough to be used for parts of pilot training and to log a limited amount of flight experience.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight schools and instructor planning when deciding which parts of training can be practiced safely on the ground before flying the airplane.
Derivation
Aviation comes from a Latin word meaning “bird,” and now means flight in aircraft. Device comes from an old word meaning something planned or arranged. Together, the phrase means a planned tool used for aircraft training, not just any aviation-related gadget.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces training cost and risk while still allowing pilots to log required practice for maneuvers and procedures.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this means any device used during aviation training. In FAA use, an Aviation Training Device is a specifically approved ground-based training system, and what it can be used for depends on that approval.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor used an Aviation Training Device to let the student practice holding patterns before flying them in the airplane.
Example Sentence 2
Many flight schools use the Aviation Training Device for instrument training before the student flies the same procedures in the airplane.