Which option best describes what can be included in flight training according to TSA definitions?

• A. Balloon training
• B. Instruction in fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft to obtain a new skill and instruction in an aircraft simulator to maintain a certificate
• C. Pilots must have a medical exam
• D. Only simulator training

Answer: (B)

Flight training, as defined for TSA, can include both real-world instruction in an actual aircraft and practice sessions in an aircraft simulator. The real aircraft part, in fixed-wing or rotary-wing airplanes, is used to gain a new skill, while the simulator part supports maintaining a certificate by allowing practice of procedures and emergencies in a safe, controlled environment. This combination reflects how pilots learn new capabilities and stay current efficiently.

Balloon training focuses on a different type of aircraft and doesn’t explicitly address simulator-based maintenance of certification. A medical exam is a separate requirement, not a description of what can be included in flight training. And limiting training to simulators only ignores the need to acquire new skills in an actual aircraft.