Pilot Currency
Pilot currency is not one universal status. Different requirements apply to different privileges and operations, so the useful question is usually: current for what?
What pilot currency means
Currency commonly refers to meeting applicable recent-experience, review or qualification requirements for a particular operation or privilege. Passenger carrying, instrument operations and flight-review status can involve different rules.
Match the requirement to the operation
Identify the flight you intend to conduct and consult the current regulation and authoritative guidance that applies. This site separates broad explanations from requirement-focused pages instead of collapsing everything into one oversimplified checklist.
Currency does not automatically equal proficiency
Meeting a recent-experience requirement does not mean every skill relevant to a planned flight is equally fresh. Personal practice tracking can help identify skills worth revisiting, but it is separate from legal eligibility.
Practice Targets are personal reminders. They do not establish regulatory currency, proficiency, legal eligibility to fly, or compliance with a specific operating requirement.
Authoritative references
- FAA AC 61-98E — Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check
- FAA AC 61-91K — WINGS—Pilot Proficiency Program
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 14 CFR Part 61
Common currency questions
Pilots often need to separate flight-review status, passenger carrying, night provisions, instrument recent experience, ratings, endorsements and medical eligibility. Treat these as distinct checks rather than one universal countdown.
Records matter
Where a regulation requires experience to be logged or documented, use the records required by the applicable rule. A personal practice reminder can complement those records but does not replace them.
After currency, consider the flight
Weather, runway, aircraft, avionics, terrain, passengers, night conditions and unfamiliar procedures can make particular skills more important even after legal eligibility is established.
Related resources
- Pilot currency requirements
- Private pilot currency
- Instrument currency
- Night currency
- Currency vs proficiency
This page is a general reference. Verify current regulations, aircraft documentation and operating requirements applicable to your flight.