FAA AATD Approval Explained: What It Means for Pilots & Schools

by Jarrod

For pilots and flight schools, the line between “good practice” and “official training” has always been clear. Flying a home simulator might sharpen your scan or let you rehearse a checklist, but it didn’t count. You couldn’t log it, and it wasn’t recognized by the FAA.

That changed with the FAA’s recognition of RealSimGear’s SR7x Pro, SFx Pro, and DAx Pro simulators as Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs). This designation is more than a badge. It represents a shift in how training can be structured, how costs can be managed, and how pilots can stay sharp.

What is an FAA Approved AATD?

The FAA defines an AATD as a training device that meets specific standards for:

  • Hardware fidelity: the yoke, pedals, throttles, and switches must closely replicate real aircraft.

  • Software fidelity: avionics, autopilot, and systems must behave like the real thing.

  • Documentation & reliability: detailed manuals and stable configurations that meet FAA guidelines.

An AATD doesn’t replace a real aircraft, but it does qualify for credit. Students can log a defined number of hours toward certificates or ratings when training on an AATD under instructor supervision.

This matters because, until now, schools and pilots faced a stark choice:

  • Uncertified sims (great for practice, but no credit)

  • Six-figure legacy devices (FAA-approved, but prohibitively expensive)

RealSimGear’s approvals close that gap.

 

Why FAA Approval Matters

 

1. Loggable Flight Training Hours

One of the biggest benefits is simple: time counts. For example:

  • Up to 20 hours toward an instrument rating can be completed in an AATD.

  • Portions of commercial training may also be logged.

That means fewer billable aircraft hours - saving thousands of dollars while still meeting regulatory requirements.

 

2. Safety Through Scenario Training

AATD-approved simulators allow students and instructors to safely run scenarios that would be dangerous (or impossible) in the real aircraft:

  • Engine failures

  • IFR approaches to minimums

  • System malfunctions

  • Adverse weather

By the time a student faces a complex situation in the real world, it’s not new - it’s practiced.

 

3. Muscle Memory That Transfers

Because the SR7x, SFx, and DAx are modeled after the real Cirrus and Diamond cockpits, the learning isn’t theoretical. Pilots flip the same switches, use the same avionics, and grip the same style yoke they’ll encounter in the aircraft.

This eliminates the “translation gap” between sim practice and cockpit reality.

 

4. Cost Efficiency

Aircraft rental is expensive. Cirrus or Diamond time can easily run $300–$400+ per hour. Every hour shifted into an AATD saves that money while still building skills and meeting requirements. For schools, it means less wear and tear on the aircraft and more students trained per fleet.

 

Who Benefits Most

Flight Schools

Schools often face bottlenecks: limited aircraft, maintenance downtime, and high costs for students. With an AATD:

  • Students can keep progressing even if the aircraft is down.

  • Schools can offer additional training slots.

  • Instructors can deliver structured scenario training without burning fuel.

 

Aircraft Owners

Owner-pilots value proficiency and safety - but currency hours add up fast. With an AATD in the home or office:

  • You can stay sharp on flows and procedures.

  • Practice approaches into airports you plan to visit.

  • Run through emergencies that you’d never try in real life.

 

Universities and Training Programs

Collegiate programs compete for students. Offering AATD-approved sims gives them:

  • A recruitment edge (“train on FAA-recognized equipment”).

  • Modern avionics and layouts matching the actual fleet.

  • Lower cost per training hour, broadening access.

 

Why RealSimGear Simulators Were Approved

Not all simulators reach AATD standards. The SR7x Pro, SFx Pro, and DAx Pro stand out for several reasons:

  • True-to-life avionics: integrated Garmin Perspective+, G1000, G2000 and G3000 systems.

  • Force-feedback yokes and real controls: so the tactile experience matches the aircraft.

  • Turn-key integration: everything works out of the box - no fragile DIY setups.

  • Continuous updates: RealSimGear provides ongoing software refinements, keeping the devices aligned with FAA expectations and pilot needs.

 

A Practical Example: Saving Time & Money

Let’s take a pilot working toward an instrument rating in a Cirrus.

  • Without an AATD: All 40 hours must be flown in the aircraft. At $350/hour, that’s $14,000 in aircraft rental alone.

  • With an AATD: Up to 20 hours can be logged in the sim. That saves $7,000 and allows the pilot to rehearse procedures until they’re automatic - without hogging an aircraft slot.

For schools with 50 students, those savings multiply quickly.

 

Closing the Gap in Aviation Training

The FAA’s recognition of RealSimGear simulators as AATDs closes a decades-old gap: the space between home practice gear and million-dollar full-motion devices. Now, schools, universities, and individuals can access certified training without breaking budgets.

 

Final Thoughts

The SR7x Pro, SFx Pro, and DAx Pro aren’t just advanced simulators. They are FAA-recognized training tools that:

  • Reduce costs

  • Improve safety

  • Accelerate student progress

  • Raise the standard for proficiency

For pilots, this means smarter training. For schools, it means stronger programs. For the industry, it means a step toward broader, more accessible aviation education.


👉 Explore FAA-Approved RealSimGear Simulators

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