APATS Launches New FSTD Operator Regulatory Stream to Tackle Asia-Pacific Harmonisation

New conference programme aims to bring Asia Pacific regulators and simulator operators together as global FSTD rules undergo their biggest transformation in decades.

Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) regulation is entering a period of unprecedented change, and APATS 2026 is responding by launching an entirely new conference stream dedicated to FSTD regulatory oversight, qualification and harmonisation across the Asia-Pacific region.

Making its debut on 1-2 September in Bangkok, the FSTDO Regulatory stream will provide what organisers hope will become a permanent forum for dialogue between National Aviation Authorities (NAAs), Flight Simulation Training Device Operators (FSTDOs), airlines, training organisations and simulator manufacturers.

The initiative comes as Europe introduces the new Flight Simulation Training Device Capability Signature (FCS) framework and the task-to-tool approach, and ICAO commences work on the update to ICAO doc 9625 Manual of Criteria for the Qualification of FSTDs, changes that are expected to significantly influence how simulators are qualified and credited for pilot training worldwide.

Although many Asia-Pacific authorities currently rely on European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), FAA or ICAO standards when overseeing simulator qualification, there has never been a dedicated regional forum to discuss how these new regulatory approaches should be adopted across the region.

Under the new approach, training course designers first identify the training objectives and outcomes based on Instructional System Design (ISD) methodology before determining what level of simulation is actually required. Combined with the FSTD Capability Signature framework, this could enable a much broader range of advanced training devices —including virtual and mixed reality systems—to receive more training credit that accurately reflects an FSTD’s true training capability where appropriate.

The changes are expected to influence not only how new training devices are developed, but also how regulators qualify them and how operators integrate them into airline training programmes.

Four Sessions, One Goal

The opening day begins with an overview of the new workstream and the regulatory challenges facing the region, before examining current international rulemaking activity.

Dransfield and Boeing Global Services Technical Fellow Andy Gillbard will explain the latest developments from EASA and ICAO, including the implications of the new FCS framework and evolving EASA / ICAO qualification standards for APAC regulators and simulator operators.

The afternoon shifts from policy to operational reality.

Representatives from Boeing Global Services and Airbus Asia Training Centre will discuss the practical challenges simulator operators face when complying with multiple regulatory oversight regimes across the Asia-Pacific region, where differing national requirements can lead to repeated simulator evaluations and compliance audits.

The day concludes with the perspective of training device manufacturers, featuring Captain Philip Adrian, CEO of MPS, and Iñigo Hernández Irizar, Business Development Manager at Entrol Simulators. They will examine how the task-to-tool approach and FSTD Capability Signature framework could expand recognition of training devices other than traditional full flight simulators, while also discussing the implementation challenges facing the region.

From Discussion to Action

The second day moves beyond presentations into interactive roundtable discussions.

Participants will explore whether greater regulatory harmonisation is achievable across Asia-Pacific and whether APATS should establish a permanent forum for regulators and industry to discuss adoption and future harmonisation of FSTD qualification standards as well as FSTDO oversight.

The ambition is not simply to discuss regulation, but to build an ongoing community that can help shape how these new international standards might be implemented across one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.