Understanding FAA Currency Requirements: A Complete Guide for 2025

What is Pilot Currency?

Pilot currency is different from pilot certification. While your pilot certificate never expires (unless revoked), your currency determines whether you're legally allowed to exercise certain privileges. Think of it this way: your certificate says you can fly, but your currency says you may fly.

The FAA establishes currency requirements under 14 CFR Part 61 to ensure pilots maintain the skills and recent experience necessary for safe flight operations.

Passenger Currency (14 CFR §61.57)

The most common currency requirement affects your ability to carry passengers.

Day Passenger Currency

To act as pilot in command (PIC) with passengers aboard, you must have performed:

3 takeoffs and 3 landings within the preceding 90 days
In an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if type rating required)

For example, if you fly a Cessna 172 (single-engine land), your landings in that aircraft count toward currency for any single-engine land airplane. However, if you also want to carry passengers in a Piper Seneca (multi-engine land), you need separate currency in multi-engine aircraft.

Night Passenger Currency

Night currency has additional requirements:

3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days
Must be performed during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
Same category, class, and type requirements apply

Important: Touch-and-goes don't count for night currency. Each landing must be a full stop.

Tailwheel Currency

If you want to carry passengers in a tailwheel (conventional gear) airplane:

3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop in a tailwheel airplane within 90 days

Instrument Currency (14 CFR §61.57(c))

IFR currency is more complex and has higher stakes - flying in IMC without proper currency can be deadly.

The 6-6-6 Rule

Within the preceding 6 calendar months, you must have performed:

6 instrument approaches (can be in actual IMC, simulated, or in an approved simulator)
Holding procedures and tasks (at least one hold)
Intercepting and tracking courses using navigation systems

Grace Period

If you haven't met the 6-6-6 requirements, you have an additional 6-month grace period to regain currency. During this grace period:

You cannot file or fly IFR
You can regain currency by completing the 6-6-6 requirements with a safety pilot or in a simulator

Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC)

If you exceed the 12-month total period (6 months + 6 month grace period) without meeting currency requirements, you must complete an Instrument Proficiency Check with a CFII, examiner, or check airman before flying IFR again.

Flight Review (14 CFR §61.56)

Every pilot must complete a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months to act as PIC. The flight review must include:

Minimum 1 hour of flight training
Minimum 1 hour of ground training
Review of current general operating and flight rules of Part 91
Demonstration that you can safely exercise the privileges of your certificate

Alternatives that reset your flight review:

Passing a practical test for a new certificate or rating
Completing a phase of the FAA WINGS program
Completing certain military flight checks

Medical Certificate Currency

Your medical certificate has its own currency requirements:

Certificate Class

Under 40

40 and Over

First Class (ATP)	12 months	6 months
Second Class (Commercial)	12 months	12 months
Third Class (Private)	60 months	24 months

BasicMed: An alternative to third-class medical for pilots who meet specific criteria, allowing flight with valid driver's license and BasicMed course completion.

How ClearProp Helps You Stay Current

Tracking all these requirements manually is error-prone. ClearProp automatically:

Calculates your currency status based on your logged flights
Alerts you before currency expires so you can plan flights accordingly
Tracks approaches and holds for IFR currency
Shows exactly what you need to regain currency if you've lapsed

Key Takeaways

Currency ≠ Proficiency - Being current doesn't mean you're proficient. Consider additional training if you haven't flown in a while.

Log everything - Proper logging is essential for proving currency during ramp checks or after incidents.

Plan ahead - Don't let currency lapse. Schedule flights before deadlines to maintain continuous currency.

When in doubt, don't - If you're unsure about your currency status, don't fly with passengers or in IMC until you verify.

Last updated: January 2025. Always verify current regulations in 14 CFR Part 61.