FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)RegulationsMedium
A private pilot, acting as pilot in command, wants to carry passengers on a cross-country flight at night. To be legal, the pilot must have made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop in the same category and class aircraft within the preceding 90 days during what time period?
- AAnytime during the night, as long as it's after civil twilight.
- BBetween the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.
- CBetween sunset and sunrise.
- DBetween 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.
To carry passengers at night, a pilot must have performed three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days, specifically between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise. This regulation ensures the pilot maintains proficiency in night operations.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect; night currency is specifically defined by a precise time window relative to sunset and sunrise.
- B. This period defines 'night' for logging flight time, but not for passenger carrying currency requirements, which have a different specific window.
- C. This period is too broad; the specific night currency window is defined more narrowly by regulation.
Night Passenger Carrying Currency
To carry passengers at night, a pilot must have performed at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop in the same category and class aircraft within the preceding 90 days, specifically between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.
- Required for carrying passengers at night.
- 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop.
- Must be in the same category and class aircraft.
- Must occur within the preceding 90 days.
- Specific time window: 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
Memory trick: Pilots Must Always Be Current to Fly Passengers Safely.