Maintaining currency as a pilot means that your are complying with all FAR regulations and are legally able to fly an aircraft under certain conditions. Being proficient means that you possess the required skillset and recent experience to fly safely. # Legal $\neq$ Safe - Just because you are legally able to fly an airplane does not mean that you are able to do so safely - This is the crux of the difference between currency and proficiency $\rightarrow$ a pilot can comply with all recency of experience requirements and still not be a safe pilot. It is up to the Pilot in Command to determine whether or not he/she is capable of flying a given flight. # Personal Minimums - These should be written down and quickly accessible (keep this in your flight bag) - [ ] This is a good worksheet for your personal minimums: [AOPA Personal Minimums Worksheet](https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/Pilot-Resources/Personal-Mins-Contracts/Personal-Minimums-Contract-VFR.pdf) - Personal minimums allow a pilot to quickly and objectively determine whether or not a flight falls under their level of ability - These can change as you gain more experience, but the main importance is that they are well thought out # Maintaining Instrument Currency - All private pilot currency requirements still apply ## Recency of Experience Requirements > [!info] [FAR 61.57(c): Instrument experience](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-61/section-61.57#p-61.57(c)) > Except as provided in [paragraph (e)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.57#p-61.57(e)) of this section, a person may act as pilot in command under IFR or weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR only if: > > _Use of an airplane, powered-lift, helicopter, or airship for maintaining instrument experience._ Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight, that person performed and logged at least the following tasks and iterations in an airplane, powered-lift, helicopter, or airship, as appropriate, for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained in actual weather conditions, or under simulated conditions using a view-limiting device that involves having performed the following— > > > Six instrument approaches. > > > > > Holding procedures and tasks. > > > > > Intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems. > > > > _Use of a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device for maintaining instrument experience._ A pilot may accomplish the requirements in [paragraph (c)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.57#p-61.57(c)(1)) of this section in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device provided the device represents the category of aircraft for the instrument rating privileges to be maintained and the pilot performs the tasks and iterations in simulated instrument conditions. A person may complete the instrument experience in any combination of an aircraft, full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device. ## Requirements if Instrument Currency has Lapsed for More than 6 Calendar Months > [!info] [FAR 61.57(d): Instrument Proficiency Check](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-61/section-61.57#p-61.57(d)) > Except as provided in [paragraph (e)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.57#p-61.57(e)) of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of [paragraph (c)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.57#p-61.57(c)) of this section for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check. The instrument proficiency check must include the areas of operation contained in the applicable Airman Certification Standards (incorporated by reference, see [§ 61.14](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-61.14)) as listed in [appendix A of this part](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-61/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Part%2061) as appropriate to the rating held. > > The instrument proficiency check must be— > > In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category; > > > For other than a glider, in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category; or > > > For a glider, in a single-engine airplane or a glider. > > The instrument proficiency check must be given by— > > An examiner > > > A person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct instrument flight tests, provided the person being tested is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces; > > > A company check pilot who is authorized to conduct instrument flight tests under [part 121](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-121), [125](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-125), or [135 of this chapter](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-135) or [subpart K of part 91 of this chapter](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-91/subpart-K), and provided that both the check pilot and the pilot being tested are employees of that operator or fractional ownership program manager, as applicable; > > > An authorized instructor; or > > > A person approved by the Administrator to conduct instrument practical tests.