Simulator SOQs: Tests and Tasks Decide Level C vs D Credit
A Level D label alone does not decide what you can train or check. Level C can cover many required tasks too. Credit depends on the tasks listed in the device’s Statement of Qualification and on the objective test results behind it, under 14 CFR Part 60 and, in Europe, EASA CS‑FSTD(A).
TL;DR:
- For upset recovery, stalls, icing, gusting crosswinds, and bounced landing recovery, verify that the exact maneuver appears on the SOQ and has objective test coverage.
- FAA rules require Level C and D simulators to pass tests against validation data; a requested Level D device can qualify only at Level C.
- Before booking, request a written SOQ task list and test summary, then confirm visual coverage, instructor station feedback, instructor qualifications, and backup scheduling.
- Choose Level D when the program ties full envelope maneuvers to it; Level C can meet the need when its SOQ covers the task.
Table of Contents
- How do Level C and Level D differ in motion, visuals and cueing?
- How do regulators decide what a simulator can be used for?
- What should you confirm before booking simulator hours?
- What should be on your Level C or Level D booking checklist?
- Why should you choose the SOQ over the label?
- How does Simulator Center support Level D training and type ratings?
- FAQ
- Sources
How do Level C and Level D differ in motion, visuals and cueing?
The practical gap shows up in specific manoeuvres, not in a general “better simulator” feeling. Both levels need motion that represents the aircraft, but EASA’s guidance notes say motion effects such as touchdown cues, buffets, ground reaction, nose‑wheel scuffing and tire dynamics must be appropriate for Level C and D alike. The required motion effects should be appropriate to the device’s qualification level.
CS‑FSTD(A) sorts simulation features into Specific, Representative and Generic fidelity, and ties those categories to the tasks and credits a device can carry. Flight model and systems fidelity are among the features to consider when assessing whether a simulator is suitable for a task.
What tends to separate the two in daily use:
- Upset recovery and full stall: check whether the device is qualified for the specific manoeuvre.
- Landing touchdown: check whether the device’s motion effects are appropriate for the task.
- Icing and gusting crosswinds: check the device’s qualification and test coverage for the specific task.
- Control forces: ask how the simulator represents control forces for the task.
- Visual system: ask whether the visual system is suitable for the manoeuvres you will fly.
Pro Tip: Ask which specific manoeuvre you need credit for, then ask whether that exact task appears on the device’s SOQ. Do not accept a level label as the answer.
How do regulators decide what a simulator can be used for?
Authorized use is set by documents, not marketing. Pilots should know where the process starts and where to check it.
- Driver program and objective tests. Under 14 CFR Part 60 Appendix A, both Level C and Level D full flight simulators must use a driver program that automatically runs objective qualification tests, and the results must stay within validation data tolerances.
- Equipment baseline. Section 60.35 says no device qualifies at Level C or D unless it carries the equipment and appliances needed for issuance of an airman certificate or rating.
- The SOQ. The Statement of Qualification lists the tasks the device is qualified for. Check which tasks are eligible for credit under the applicable requirements.
- Rule updates. The FAA final rule clarified fidelity and testing requirements for full stall, upset prevention and recovery training, icing, gusting crosswinds and bounced landing recovery, and aligned many standards with ICAO 9625.
- Downgrades. If tests support only a lower level, the responsible office can qualify the device there. FAA guidance gives the example of a device requested at Level D but qualified at Level C.
Key point: a device can be requested at Level D and still be qualified at Level C, so confirm the current qualification rather than the one a brochure advertises.
What should you confirm before booking simulator hours?
Translate the rules above into questions you can put to a provider before you commit money or a checking slot.
- SOQ tasks. Confirm your required manoeuvres and checks are listed, not just that the device carries a Level D label.
- Objective test coverage. Ask which tests the driver program ran and whether validation data covered the manoeuvres you need credit for. Appendix A requires results to be compared against validation data, and driver programs are mandatory at Level C and D.
- Instructor tools. Verify what instructor station feedback is available during sessions and whether it supports the debrief objectives.
- Evaluation timing. Ask the provider how qualification evaluations or maintenance could affect device availability. Ask how the provider handles that.
Pro Tip: If a provider cannot show you the SOQ task list in writing, treat the device as unverified for credit purposes until they can.
For related planning, our guide on simulator credit for recurrent training shows how qualification affects hours and checks, and our comparison of fixed base and full flight training explains when motion cueing materially changes outcomes.
What should be on your Level C or Level D booking checklist?
Copy this into an email or keep it open on a call with a training provider.
- Ask for the SOQ, or the list of SOQ tasks, and confirm the manoeuvre or check you need is included.
- Ask whether objective testing covered that specific task, and request the driver program test labels or a summary.
- Confirm motion tuning and visual field of view for the manoeuvres you will fly.
- Confirm instructor qualifications and the instructor station feedback tools tied to your training outcome.
- Check scheduling and backup options in case of continuing qualification cycles or device maintenance.
Keep the answers in writing. If your authority questions a session later, a dated SOQ and test summary are far more useful than a verbal assurance, and they make it easy to compare two providers side by side.
Why should you choose the SOQ over the label?
From a provider’s seat, the pattern is consistent: pilots arrive asking for “a Level D” when what they need is a device whose SOQ covers their task. Our view is to put the SOQ first and the label second.
Choose Level D when your program involves full‑envelope manoeuvres or training that the SOQ ties to Level D. Choose a well‑qualified Level C when its SOQ covers your task and availability or cost favors it. Neither choice is a compromise if the paperwork supports it.
Use the checklist above and the regulatory references below to verify any device quickly, before you pay for hours you may not be able to count.
— Jake
How does Simulator Center support Level D training and type ratings?
We offer Level D full‑motion simulator sessions and type rating courses. Ask us about the instructors, scheduling, documentation, checkride coordination and applicable qualification standards. If you want to discuss device qualification and course alignment, ask us before you enroll. You can book through our simulator training page.
Programs pilots ask us about most:
- ATP‑CTP course
- Airbus A320 and A330 type ratings
- Boeing 737 and 757/767 type ratings
- ATR 42/72 type rating
- Simulator sessions for each type
- FAA license conversion from ICAO, EASA and DGCA
Details and enrollment are on our type rating page; current prices are on our site.
FAQ
Is Level D higher fidelity than Level C?
Level D is a full flight simulator qualification. Whether it matters for you depends on the device’s SOQ, because Level C devices can also be qualified for many training and checking tasks.
What does a simulator’s Statement of Qualification tell you?
It lists the tasks the device is qualified for. Check which of those tasks are eligible for credit under the applicable requirements. Part 60 sets the baseline equipment a device needs before qualification.
Can a Level D simulator be downgraded to Level C?
Yes. If objective tests do not support the requested level but support a lower one, the responsible office may qualify the device at the lower level. Ask the sponsor how it handles any re-testing and scheduling.
Do EASA and the FAA define fidelity the same way?
Not identically. EASA’s CS‑FSTD(A) grades features as Specific, Representative or Generic and links them to credits, while Part 60 works through objective tests and the SOQ. Some technical standards align with ICAO 9625.