How to Choose an ATD for Your Flight School

Buying an aviation training device is one of the better investments a flight school can make — if you buy the right one. The wrong device sits in the corner collecting dust because it does not fit your training programs, your space, or your budget. This guide walks through the decision systematically so you end up with an ATD that actually gets used.

BATD vs AATD: The Business Math

The first decision is qualification level. A BATD costs less and allows students to log up to 10 hours of instrument training time plus IFR currency. An AATD costs significantly more but doubles the instrument time to 20 hours and opens up commercial and CFI training credits.

Run this calculation: How many instrument students do you train per year, and how many aircraft hours would an AATD save per student compared to a BATD?

If you train 10 instrument students per year and an AATD saves each student 10 additional aircraft hours at $180 per hour, that is $18,000 in annual value to your students. The price difference between a quality BATD ($8,000 - $15,000) and a quality AATD ($30,000 - $80,000) may or may not be justified by that number. For a school with 5 instrument students per year, the BATD almost certainly makes more sense. For a school with 30 or more, the AATD pays for itself quickly.

Space Requirements

ATDs range from desktop units that fit on a table to full-enclosure devices that need their own room.

• Desktop BATD (e.g., Redbird TD, RealSimGear configurations): Needs a desk or table, a chair, and about 6 by 4 feet of floor space. Can share a room with other activities. Minimal infrastructure requirements — a standard electrical outlet and reasonable ambient lighting control are sufficient.
• Mid-range AATD (e.g., Redbird LD): Needs a dedicated area of roughly 8 by 6 feet. An enclosed visual system may require the room to be darkened. Heavier, so ground-floor placement is preferred.
• Full-enclosure AATD/FTD (e.g., Redbird FMX, Frasca units): Requires a dedicated room, often 12 by 12 feet or more. May need upgraded electrical service. Delivery and installation are significant projects — make sure the device can physically get into your building before you order it.

Measure twice, buy once. More than a few schools have ordered devices that could not fit through their doors.

Budget: Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is only part of the story. Budget for these ongoing costs:

• Annual software licensing or maintenance fees — Most manufacturers charge an annual fee for software updates, technical support, and LoA maintenance. Expect $1,000 to $3,000 per year depending on the device.
• Insurance — Your school’s insurance policy needs to cover the device. Get a quote before purchasing.
• Instructor time — The ATD generates revenue only when an instructor is supervising a student in it. Build instructor scheduling around sim availability.
• Facility costs — Dedicated space, lighting control, climate control for enclosed devices.
• Replacement and repair — Yokes, throttles, and switches wear out with heavy use. Budget for periodic hardware replacement.

A realistic total cost of ownership for a BATD over five years is $12,000 to $25,000. For an AATD, expect $40,000 to $120,000 over the same period.

Vendor Comparison

Three vendors dominate the smaller flight school ATD market:

Redbird — The most widely installed ATDs in US flight schools. The TD (BATD) is the entry point, the LD (AATD) is the workhorse, and the FMX (AATD with full enclosure and motion) is the flagship. Redbird’s strength is ecosystem — their software platform, training scenarios, and analytics tools are well-integrated. Support network is extensive.

RealSimGear — Focuses on realistic hardware panels and instrument bezels. Their BATD configurations offer a high-fidelity panel experience at a lower price point than full-enclosure units. Good option for schools that want realistic instrument training without the space and cost requirements of a larger device.

Gleim — Known primarily for test prep, Gleim also offers ATD products. Their devices tend to be competitively priced and pair well with Gleim’s training curriculum. Worth evaluating if your school already uses Gleim materials.

Questions to Ask Before Buying

1. What is the current LoA status, and who handles renewal? The device is useless for loggable training without an active Letter of Authorization.
2. What does the annual maintenance contract include? Get specifics on software updates, hardware warranties, and technical support response times.
3. Can I see utilization data from other schools using this device? A reputable vendor should be able to share aggregate usage statistics.
4. What training scenarios are included, and can I create my own? Pre-built scenario libraries save instructor prep time.
5. Does the device integrate with my scheduling software? If your school uses a management platform, check whether the ATD vendor offers any integration or whether you will be managing the sim as a separate system.

The FAA LoA Process

Every ATD must have a Letter of Authorization from the FAA to qualify for loggable training time. The process works like this:

1. The manufacturer submits the device design to the FAA for evaluation.
2. The FAA issues a qualification letter for the device model.
3. Your specific installation receives an LoA, which must be renewed periodically.
4. The school is responsible for maintaining the device in its approved configuration — unauthorized modifications can void the LoA.

Most manufacturers handle the initial LoA paperwork as part of the purchase and installation process. Ask explicitly about this during the sales process and get it in writing.

Top Recommendations by School Type

Small Part 61 school (fewer than 15 instrument students per year): Redbird TD or RealSimGear BATD. Low cost, small footprint, meaningful training value for IFR currency and instrument training hours. The economics of an AATD do not work at this volume.

Growing Part 141 school (15-40 instrument students per year): Redbird LD (AATD). The doubled instrument hours and commercial/CFI training credits justify the higher cost at this student volume. The LD’s mid-range footprint fits most school facilities.

Serious training program (40+ students, multiple programs): Redbird FMX or Frasca RTD. Full-enclosure AATDs with motion platforms provide the highest fidelity training experience. At this volume, you may need multiple devices — consider a mix of one full-enclosure AATD and one or two desktop BATDs to maximize throughput.

The best ATD is the one your students and instructors actually use every day. Match the device to your programs, your space, and your budget, and it will pay for itself many times over.