The FAA defines 4 different categories of devices that we might casually call "flight simulators". From most advanced to least advanced:
| Name | Acronym | Description | References |
| --------------------------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- |
| (Full) Flight Simulator | FFS | Generally includes motion simulation | |
| Flight Training Device | FTD | A device representing a specific airplane's cockpit and systems. Often used for obtaining a type rating | |
| Advanced Aviation Training Device | [[AATD]] | Offers more complex training than a BATD. Configurable to simulate specific aircraft. **The PFC1000 devices found at West Valley Flying Club are AATDs** | AC 61-136B |
| Basic Aviation Training Device | [[BATD]] | Less complex than an AATD | AC 61-13B |