Flight Crew Recency Requirements
In order to stay current, you must have a valid Medical Certificate and meet the regulatory requirements for recency and currency.
There are three time frames for recency requirements: 5 years, 2 years and 6 months. If you wish to be pilot-in-command or co-pilot, you must meet both the 5 year and 2 year recency requirements. If you wish to carry passengers you must also meet the 6 month requirement.
2 Year Requirement:
You must have successfully completed a recurrent training program within the previous 24 months. There are 7 ways to meet this requirement:
Participate in a Transport Canada approved recurrent training program
- Complete a flight review with an instructor
- Attend a safety seminar conducted by Transport Canada
- Complete a Transport Canada self-paced study program
- Complete a training program or PPC required by Part IV, VI or VII of the CARs
- Complete the requirements for the issue or renewal of a license permit or rating
- Complete the written exam for a license, permit or rating
5 Year Requirement: 1 of the following
- Flown as a pilot-in-command or co-pilot within the previous 5 years
- Completed a flight review with an instructor and written and passed the PSTAR exam within the previous 12 months
6 Month Requirement:
The 6-month requirement is for carrying passengers. You must have completed 5 takeoffs and landings in the same category and class within the previous 6 months. If the flight is to be flown at night then the takeoffs and landings must have been completed at night.
- Glider pilots have the option of completing 2 takeoffs and landings with an instructor.
- Balloon pilots are not allowed to land at night; however, if part of the flight is to take place at night, then there must have been at least 5 takeoffs by night.