Zayghami

Hey folks,

I have recently transitioned from a 172 to a PA-28. If it has been more than 90 days since I have flown a 172, and my BFR is current, do I need checkout or an endorsement from an instructor to fly the 172 without passengers or is my 90 day three to/ldg currency strictly to carry passengers? Even though it has only been about 70 days since since I have last flown a Cessna, I was just curious.

Thanks

floridaCFII

The phrase "checkout" isn't even part of the regs. That's strictly a flight school/insurance requirement. To fly a 172 you need:

1. To be rated single-engine land and current medical
2. Have a current BFR
3. 3 landings in 90 days in category/class (only if you want to carry passengers)

That said... what's legal and what's safe may be 2 different things if it's been a LONG time since you've flown a given model.

250 or point 65

1) Don't take the advice of some guy you don't know from the internet

2) This is not a difficult one to look up

3) Currency is in category and class for passengers and as long as your BFR is current, you can go take a plane by yourself whenever you want

4) Depending on your skill/experience, you may want to take an instructor with you

NoyGonnaDoIt

True. But interestingly, there is an article in the current NAFI Mentor in which a DPE talks about new pilots not understanding this at all - that they really don't read what the reg says and that they don't understand what "category/class" is. My own guess is that currency rules arte being memorized to answer the knowledge test and not being looked at at all.

So, with that in mind...

Zayghami, there are usually three sets of rules you need to deal with when it comes to currency. One is the FAR. The second's is the owner's/FBO's. The third is the insurance companies. Since owner/FBO and insurance company rules vary, let's stick with the FAR.

You said that you have a current FR, so the only FAR currency rule you need to consider (if you are not instrument-rated) is takeoff and landing currency. That's FAR 61.57(a) and (b) (with some exceptions that probably don't apply in (d)). Pull out your FAR and look it up. See if you can answer your own question. If there's something in it you don't understand, ask.