Definition
An official document issued by the FAA granting a person or organization permission to conduct a specific activity that would not otherwise be allowed under standard regulations, or specifying conditions under which a particular operation, device, or training program may be used. In flight training, a letter of authorization commonly approves the use of a specific flight simulation training device for credit toward pilot certification or currency requirements.
Plain English
A formal written approval from the FAA that says, 'You are allowed to do this specific thing, under these specific conditions.' For training devices, it confirms which simulator can be used and what training credit it qualifies for.
Context Anchor
Seen when discussing FAA-approved use of flight simulation training devices in training programs.
Derivation
From Latin 'auctoritas' (authority, official sanction). A letter of authorization is literally a written grant of authority — permission put on paper and signed by an issuing official.
Why Pilots Care
It determines whether training completed in a simulator counts toward certificate or rating requirements.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this is just a helpful letter or a general approval. In this context, it is an official FAA permission document with specific limits.
Example Sentence 1
The flight school's letter of authorization specified that the simulator could be used for up to 20 hours of instrument training credit.
Example Sentence 2
The training center applied for a letter of authorization to expand the maneuvers approved on their new device.