Term "pilot currency" definition
Basically, requirements for recent experience that demonstrate that one's skills and flight experience are "current" (up-to-date, and not just something learned and practiced years ago).
Example - for night flying in the US (FAA rules) 61.57, b
Instrument piloting currency
There are a host of such currency requirements for specific situations - type ratings, multi-engine, ATP, etc.
If you are NOT current, you need to take various steps to become current. Exactly what depends on the situation. ATPs may need sim training.
For the night flying situation, one could simply take off ALONE (no passengers, at night), stay in the practice pattern of the airport, and make the required three take-offs and landings to a full stop - and then, 5 minutes later, conduct a flight WITH passengers, since one has now met the requirement (the preceding 15 minutes qualifying as "within the preceding 90 days").
For IFR currency - you have a 6-month window AFTER losing your currency to go out alone and do the required approaches and maneuvers. Failing that (after a year with no logged experience, simulated or real), you must go through a full instrument check with an examiner to again become "current."
Separately but equally - currency can refer to the requirement to have a "current" medical certificate (annual, 6-month, or whatever is required for the job at hand.)
Example - for night flying in the US (FAA rules) 61.57, b
(1)......no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, unless within the preceding 90 days that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, and—
(i) That person acted as sole manipulator of the flight controls; and
(ii) The required takeoffs and landings were performed in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required).
(i) That person acted as sole manipulator of the flight controls; and
(ii) The required takeoffs and landings were performed in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required).
(c).... no person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, unless within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has:
(1) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in an aircraft (other than a glider), performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions, either in flight in the appropriate category of aircraft for the instrument privileges sought or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category for the instrument privileges sought—
(i) At least six instrument approaches;
(ii) Holding procedures; and
(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems.
(1) For the purpose of obtaining instrument experience in an aircraft (other than a glider), performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions, either in flight in the appropriate category of aircraft for the instrument privileges sought or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category for the instrument privileges sought—
(i) At least six instrument approaches;
(ii) Holding procedures; and
(iii) Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation systems.
If you are NOT current, you need to take various steps to become current. Exactly what depends on the situation. ATPs may need sim training.
For the night flying situation, one could simply take off ALONE (no passengers, at night), stay in the practice pattern of the airport, and make the required three take-offs and landings to a full stop - and then, 5 minutes later, conduct a flight WITH passengers, since one has now met the requirement (the preceding 15 minutes qualifying as "within the preceding 90 days").
For IFR currency - you have a 6-month window AFTER losing your currency to go out alone and do the required approaches and maneuvers. Failing that (after a year with no logged experience, simulated or real), you must go through a full instrument check with an examiner to again become "current."
Separately but equally - currency can refer to the requirement to have a "current" medical certificate (annual, 6-month, or whatever is required for the job at hand.)
