Pilot Recency Requirements: Staying Current as PIC, Carrying Passengers, IFR, and Commercial Operations
- wifiCFI
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Maintaining currency and recency is essential for pilots to ensure safety, compliance, and proficiency. Here’s a comprehensive overview of pilot recency requirements, covering key areas including acting as Pilot-In-Command (PIC), carrying passengers, flying for compensation, and flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
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Acting as Pilot-In-Command (PIC)
To act as PIC, pilots must satisfy basic FAA currency requirements:
Flight Review Requirement
Complete a Flight Review every 24 calendar months, consisting of at least one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight instruction from a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
Alternatively, pilots may pass an FAA practical test (checkride) for a new certificate or rating within the preceding 24 months to fulfill this requirement.
Carrying Passengers
To carry passengers as PIC, additional recent experience is required:
Daytime Passenger-Carrying Currency
Within the preceding 90 days, complete three takeoffs and landings (can be touch-and-go) in the same category, class, and type (if type rating is required) of aircraft.
Nighttime Passenger-Carrying Currency
Within the preceding 90 days, complete at least three takeoffs and landings to a full stop at night (defined as the period between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise) in the same category, class, and type (if required).
Flying for Compensation or Hire
To operate flights for compensation or hire, pilots must comply with additional specific regulations (learn more here >):
Commercial Pilot Currency
Hold at least a Second-Class Medical Certificate.
Comply with recency requirements relevant to specific commercial operations.
Adhere to FAR Part 91, 135, or other applicable parts governing commercial operations.
Air Carrier Operations
Airline Transport Pilots (ATP) must hold a valid First-Class Medical Certificate (with durations varying based on age).
Fulfill stringent proficiency checks and training requirements as specified in FAR Part 121 or 135 operations.
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Currency
Pilots flying under IFR must comply with additional recency standards (learn more here >):
IFR Recent Experience
Within the preceding 6 calendar months, pilots must log:
At least 6 instrument approaches.
Holding procedures.
Intercepting and tracking courses using navigation systems.
IFR Currency Lapse and Regaining Currency
If a pilot does not meet IFR currency requirements within 6 months:
A 6-month grace period is allowed to regain currency by logging the required approaches and procedures with a safety pilot or in an approved simulator or flight training device.
Beyond this grace period (after 12 months total), pilots must complete an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) conducted by a CFII, examiner, or FAA-approved authority.
Additional Considerations
Tailwheel Aircraft: For carrying passengers in a tailwheel airplane, three takeoffs and landings must be made to a full stop within the previous 90 days.
High-performance or Complex Aircraft: Pilots must receive and log appropriate endorsements to operate these aircraft types.
Type Ratings: Pilots operating aircraft requiring type ratings must ensure takeoffs and landings for passenger-carrying recency are conducted in the same type.
Conclusion
Understanding and maintaining pilot recency requirements is critical for safety, legality, and operational proficiency. Pilots must remain proactive in tracking and completing necessary flight activities, training, and reviews to ensure continuous compliance and readiness for all flying conditions and operations.
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