This document will address measures pertaining to and directly associated with the maintainability and reliability of FSTDs throughout their entire life cycle, from initial specification and design to de-commissioning. Although the primary emphasis of this document is on full flight simulators (with motion and visual systems), it should be applicable in part or total to all FSTDs.

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of ARINC Report 434 is to provide practical recommendations, based on the collective experience of the Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) community, for improving operational reliability and maintainability throughout the life cycle of a training device. It is hoped that formulating industry guidelines will lead to mutually defined (customer and supplier) goals for FSTD reliability, maintainability, and overall life-cycle cost management.

Particular emphasis is provided on recommendations for procurement, preventive maintenance, improved troubleshooting of problems, increased device reliability, decision making guidelines for upgrading a training device, and better communication methods between customers and suppliers of FSTDs. It is recommended that contracts for the supply of FSTDs include a reference to this document.

Furthermore, the intent of this document is to provide a collection of maintenance best practices. While it is not intended to be used directly as a contractual document, it could be useful in considering contractual requirements for an FSTD purchase.