FAA Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH)RegulationsEasy
A private pilot wants to carry a passenger on a daytime local flight in a helicopter. The pilot's most recent takeoffs and landings in a helicopter were logged 95 days ago. According to 14 CFR 61.57(a), may this pilot legally carry the passenger?
- ANo, the pilot must have made 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category and class to act as PIC carrying passengers
- BYes, because recency-of-experience requirements only apply to night flights
- CYes, because helicopters are exempt from the 90-day currency rule
- DNo, the pilot must first complete a new flight review before carrying passengers
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. No, the pilot must have made 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category and class to act as PIC carrying passengers
14 CFR 61.57(a)(1) requires 3 takeoffs and 3 landings within the preceding 90 days, in an aircraft of the same category and class (and type if required), to act as PIC while carrying passengers, day or night. Since 95 days have passed, the pilot is not current.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Currency for day flights is also required, just with fewer landings than night (no full-stop requirement).
- C. Helicopters are not exempt from 61.57 recency requirements.
- D. A flight review is a separate requirement (61.56) and is not triggered simply by a lapse in landing currency.
Day Passenger Carrying Currency
14 CFR 61.57(a)(1) requires a pilot to have made 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in the same category and class of aircraft to carry passengers.
- Day currency: 3 takeoffs/landings in 90 days
- Night currency requires full-stop landings, 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
- Category, class, and type (if required) must match the aircraft flown
Memory trick: '90 days, 3 landings' keeps you legal to carry friends by day.