AINsight: Developing a Personal Proficiency Plan | Aviation International News

AINsight: Developing a Personal Proficiency Plan

Two terms often used interchangeably in aviation are currency and proficiency, but they are not the same and a pilot can be current but not proficient.

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

February 25, 2022

Two terms often used interchangeably in aviation regarding pilots are currency and proficiency. While each has similar definitions and complements each other, they are not the same.

Currency is the minimum requirement—defined by FAR 61.56 and 61.57 in the U.S.—to act as a pilot in command of an aircraft within a certain timeframe. As examples, to be current, a pilot must complete a flight review within the past 24 calendar months; to carry passengers, the pilot needs three takeoffs and landings in the proceeding 90 days (to a full stop, if at night); to fly IFR, a pilot needs to have flown and logged six instrument approaches in the past six months.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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