To act as PIC carrying passengers, what recency requirement must the pilot meet?

• A. 3 takeoffs and 3 landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type, if a type rating is required
• B. 2 takeoffs and 2 landings within 60 days in any aircraft
• C. 3 hours of flight time in the previous 90 days
• D. No specific recency requirement

Answer: (A)

Recent flight experience to act as PIC carrying passengers requires currency in the specific airplane you’ll fly. You must have completed at least three takeoffs and three landings in the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category and class, and the same type if a type rating is required. Those takeoffs and landings must be performed as the sole manipulator of the controls. This ensures you’ve recently practiced the actual handling, speeds, configurations, and pattern work of that exact aircraft so you can safely transport passengers. If you don’t meet this recency, you can’t act as PIC with passengers until you regain currency by completing those three takeoffs and landings in the appropriate aircraft.