Definition
Ground-based training equipment, approved by the FAA, that replicates aircraft instruments, controls, and flight conditions for the purpose of pilot training, testing, and proficiency. Aviation training devices (ATDs) are categorized as Basic Aviation Training Devices (BATDs) or Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs), depending on their fidelity and approved uses. They are distinct from full flight simulators (FFSs) and flight training devices (FTDs), which meet higher certification standards.
Plain English
Approved ground-based training equipment that mimics flying an airplane closely enough that the FAA allows it to count toward certain training and currency requirements.
Context Anchor
Seen when discussing how simulators, training devices, and actual airplanes are used together in pilot training, including upset prevention and recovery training.
Why Pilots Care
They let pilots rehearse critical maneuvers and emergencies repeatedly in a controlled setting, building skills while avoiding the hazards of real-flight practice.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as any aviation-related training gadget. In FAA training context, aviation training devices are specific approved systems used for defined training purposes, with clear limits on what they can count for.
Example Sentence 1
The flight school uses an aviation training device to let students practice instrument approaches before flying them in the airplane.
Example Sentence 2
Aviation training devices allow repeated exposure to high-workload scenarios without the fuel, scheduling, or safety constraints of actual flight.