New EU requirements for flight simulators 2026: what airlines and ATO must do

Key data

European airlines, pilot training centers and flight simulator operators have new obligations from April 8, 2026. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 amends Regulations (EU) 1178/2011 and 965/2012 to update the standards governing flight training simulation devices (FSTD), including their approval conditions, qualification and use in pilot training and examination procedures.

This is not a minor procedural change: the regulation directly affects how these devices are approved, qualified and used throughout the EU, with operational and economic implications for industry stakeholders.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/781 amends two pillars of the European aviation regulatory framework:

Specifically, the new regulation updates the technical and operational standards of flight training simulation devices (FSTD), covering three key areas:

• Conditions for approval of FSTD devices
• Conditions for qualification of simulators
• Conditions for use in pilot training, testing and periodic verification procedures

Approved training organizations (ATO) and air operators must adapt both their internal procedures and their simulator use contracts to the new requirements established.

Economic and operational impact

Compliance with this regulation can generate direct costs for affected organizations. The regulation expressly contemplates that adaptation may involve investments in equipment updates or recertification of existing FSTD devices.

The main operational and economic impacts are:

• Review and adaptation of internal procedures for pilot training and verification in ATO and airlines.
• Renegotiation or modification of simulator use contracts to align with new standards.
• Investment in technical updates of FSTD devices that do not meet the new approval or qualification requirements.
• Recertification processes of existing simulators with competent authorities.
• Possible temporary interruption of simulator use while undergoing recertification, with impact on training planning.

Simulator manufacturers and operators are also affected, as they must ensure their devices comply with the new technical standards to maintain their qualification and be used by ATO and airlines.

Who does it affect?

• Airlines operating in the EU that use simulators for training, testing and periodic verifications of their pilots.
• Approved training organizations (ATO) that use FSTD devices in their pilot training programs.
• Flight simulator operators that lease or make available FSTD devices to airlines or ATO.
• Simulator manufacturers that must adapt their devices to the new technical standards to maintain qualification.

Practical example

An approved training organization (ATO) that has several FSTD devices for airline pilot training must, from April 8, 2026, verify that each of its simulators complies with the new technical and operational standards established by Regulation 2026/781.

If any of its devices were approved or qualified under the previous criteria of Regulations (EU) 1178/2011 or 965/2012, the ATO must initiate a recertification process with the competent authority. While that process is underway, the use of the simulator for official testing and verifications could be conditional, forcing the organization to reorganize its training schedule or contract usage time on already certified devices from third parties.

In parallel, simulator use contracts signed with external operators must be reviewed to ensure that the agreed conditions are compatible with the new regulatory requirements, avoiding situations of contractual or regulatory non-compliance.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify all FSTD devices in use and review their current approval and qualification status against the new requirements of Regulation 2026/781.
2. Review internal procedures for pilot training, testing and periodic verifications to identify what aspects must be adapted to the new technical and operational standards.
3. Audit simulator use contracts with external operators to identify clauses that must be updated based on the new regulatory requirements.
4. Initiate recertification processes for FSTD devices that do not meet the new standards, coordinating with the competent authority on applicable timelines and requirements.
5. Plan the necessary investment in equipment updates or recertification, assessing the impact on the training schedule and availability of alternative simulators during the process.
6. Consult with specialists in civil aviation regulations to ensure that the adaptation fully complies with Regulations (EU) 1178/2011 and 965/2012 in their amended version.