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How Do You Stay Current as a Private Pilot?

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that all private pilots maintain a proficiency level so that safe flight operations may be conducted. A private pilot is required to take a flight physical every three years, pass a biannual flight review every two years and conduct touch-and-go landings every 90 days to remain in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. Many pilots, however, go above and beyond the minimum requirements and take additional training from a certified flight instructor for maximum safety and knowledge while piloting an aircraft.

Things You'll Need

Aircraft
Medical Certificate

Instructions

Medical Certification
- 1
  Obtain a current medical certificate (minimum of a third class) from an approved Federal Aviation Medical examiner by undergoing a physical exam. A third class medical certificate is only valid for three years.
- 2
  Answer all of the medical flight examiners questions honestly and accurately.
- 3
  Replace the old medical certificate with the new one and be sure to always carry this certificate along with a pilot's certificate while conducting flight operations.
Biannual Flight Review and Proficiency
- 4
  Study all current FAA knowledge requirements for private pilots. This includes current airspace, communication and flight operation standards that are currently in use.
- 5
  Take the biannual flight review with a certified flight instructor. This flight review will be an in-flight and an oral test designed to certify that a pilot has maintained airworthiness standards as set forth by the FAA.
- 6
  Fly three takeoffs and landings every 90 days in order to stay proficient to carry passengers. Not only will this give you good practice, but the FAA requires that a pilot has done so before he is allowed to carry people in an aircraft.
- 7
  Fly three takeoff and landings at night every three months in order to stay current to carry passengers at night. This is also an FAA requirement to legally carry passengers.

Aviation