II know what is prudent, but does a CFI really need to accomplish his/her 3 Takeoff's and Landings in the past 90 days to be legal to fly with a student? I believe I read somewhere that students are not considered passengers, but FAR 61.57 A(2) states, "For the purpose of meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft under day VFR or day IFR, provided no PERSONS or property are carried on board the aircraft, other than those necessary for the conduct of the flight.
Is a student necessary for the conduct of the flight?