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3 Answers

Pilot currency

Asked by: 4214 views ,
Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

Hi 2 u all!

Case 1:

1. A pilot holding the FAA CPL/IR/ME hasn't flown at all in 10 years; what are the currency requirements applicable to his case?

2. Can he just enroll in a CFI/CFII courses to both satisfy the currency requirements and get his CFI/CFII ratings?

Case 2:

3. Another pilot completed all the CPL/IR ground and flight training requirments but for whatever reasons he didn't take his checkride after he completed his training. After 8 years of being away from flying, can he just retake the written tests and fly few flights then go for the checkride or the regulations require more than that?

Please answer with references if possible. 

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Jun 05, 2013

    With the possible exception of knowing that a CFI ride does not automatically re-set the flight review clock (http://goo.gl/1NRMw) all of these are pretty straightforward. What effort have you made to find the answers yourself?

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  2. Best Answer


    Ernest Ortner on Jun 05, 2013

    Case 1
    1. A BFR is required (61.56). After 10 years the hope of 1 hour ground and 1 hour flight is a pipe dream. The BFR will take longer until that person reaches the proficiency required for the BFR.

    2. Answered by Mark.

    Case 2
    3. Yes, written tests are only good for 2 years from the month of the test. If all the prerequisites for the ratings were met previously then the only flight time required is the 3 hours in the preceding 60 days with a CFI who would be the one endorsing you for the practical(61.129). Again since it has been 8 years it will probably take more than just the 3 hours to reach the proficiency level for the checkride.

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  3. Ale on Jun 06, 2013

    Thank you both.

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