FAA Begs for Comments on Pilot Simulator Paperwork—For the Umpteenth Time
Published Date: 8/6/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to reinstate an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 2, 2026. The collection involves requirements which are necessary to ensure safety-of-flight by ensuring that complete and adequate training, testing, checking, and experience is obtained and maintained by those who operate under certain parts of FAA's regulations and use flight simulation in lieu of aircraft for these functions. This collection is being reinstated due to delays caused by the government shutdown and changeover of personnel.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual reporting burden for flight sim operators
Sixty-two flight simulation device operators (and 2 new operators annually) must comply with an FAA information collection under OMB Control Number 2120-0680 and submit data annually. The collection is estimated to create a total annual burden of 94,812 hours and the FAA may use the information to check compliance and take enforcement action against violators.
Information collection supports flight safety
The FAA says this information collection helps ensure complete and adequate training, testing, checking, and experience for people operating under 14 CFR parts 61, 63, 91, 121, 135, 141, and 142 who use flight simulation instead of aircraft. The reinstated collection supports safety-of-flight by allowing the FAA to review training and qualifications and enforce regulatory standards.
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The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed, and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
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