Definition
Training credits are the portions of pilot training that the FAA permits a student to complete in an approved flight simulation training device (FSTD) instead of in the actual aircraft, and that count toward the total flight time or specific task requirements for a certificate or rating.
Plain English
Time spent in an approved simulator that the FAA lets count toward your training requirements, just as if you had flown the aircraft for that portion.
Context Anchor
Seen when discussing how flight simulators, flight training devices, or aviation training devices may be used in a pilot training course.
Derivation
From 'credit' in the academic and accounting sense — something that counts toward a total. The simulator hour is 'credited' against the training requirement the same way a class credit counts toward a degree.
Why Pilots Care
Using training credits allows pilots to complete required training more affordably and safely by maximizing simulator use instead of expensive aircraft time.
Analogy
It is like a school allowing some lab work to count toward a course requirement, but only if the lab is approved for that course.
Intuition Check
Do not assume training credits mean informal recognition for practice time. In this context, they mean approved credit toward a specific FAA or course training requirement.
Example Sentence 1
The Part 141 school used training credits to satisfy up to 20 percent of the private pilot flight time requirement in their approved simulator.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor confirmed the device qualified for training credits before logging time toward the instrument rating.