At a Part 142 center, the FAA audit is where good intentions meet records. The centers that pass cleanly are the ones whose software made compliance the default.
Curriculum conformance
The single most common finding is drift between the approved curriculum and what was actually delivered. Inspectors check that the version delivered matches the version approved.
Instructor and evaluator currency
Were check rides conducted by current, authorized evaluators on the right aircraft type? Lapsed currency voids the check.
Device qualification
Was each simulator session run on a device qualified for that training credit, with the qualification current?
Records and retention
Signed training records, retained for the required period, retrievable on request. Software that enforces curriculum approval and tracks evaluator currency turns audit prep into an export — see AviationAlley.