FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Easy
A commercial pilot wants to act as PIC and carry passengers in a multiengine airplane at night. Under 14 CFR 61.57(b), within the preceding 90 days the pilot must have made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop, as sole manipulator, in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if required), during what time period?
- ABeginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise
- BFrom civil twilight to civil twilight
- CAny time the aircraft position/anti-collision lights are required to be on
- DFrom official sunset to official sunrise
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise
14 CFR 61.57(b) defines the night currency window specifically as beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, which is more restrictive than the general definition of night. The takeoffs and landings must be to a full stop.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Civil twilight is not the standard used for this specific recency rule.
- C. Lighting requirements are a separate rule and not tied to this currency period.
- D. Official sunset to sunrise is the general definition of 'night,' not the currency window.
Night Passenger Currency (61.57(b))
To carry passengers at night, a pilot needs 3 full-stop takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days in the same category/class/type, done between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.
- Window is 1 hr after sunset to 1 hr before sunrise (narrower than 'night')
- Landings must be to a full stop
- Must be same category, class, and type if type rating required
Memory trick: 'Sunset plus one, sunrise minus one' bookends the night-currency clock.