Definition
Training required for a pilot already qualified in an aircraft type or category to operate a variant or related model that differs in equipment, systems, or handling. It addresses only the differences between the familiar aircraft and the new one, rather than repeating full initial training.
Plain English
When a pilot moves from one version of an aircraft to a slightly different version, they only have to learn what is new or different — not the whole aircraft from scratch.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft transition training, airline training programs, and records showing that a pilot has been trained on a specific model, system, or procedure change.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents pilots from assuming all models of the same type behave identically and ensures safe handling of variant-specific features.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as informal advice about “what changed.” In aviation, differences training is a specific training step used when a pilot must learn the operational differences from a related aircraft, system, or procedure.
Example Sentence 1
Before flying the updated model, the pilot completed differences training covering the new avionics suite and revised emergency procedures.
Example Sentence 2
Differences training focused on the alternate flap system and revised emergency procedures for this variant.