Recent Flight Experience for Carrying Passengers (14 CFR § 61.57), Explained

"Am I current to carry passengers?" is one of the most frequently asked questions in general aviation — and one of the easiest to get wrong, because there are two separate currency requirements bundled into the same regulation.

Daytime Passenger Currency

Under 14 CFR § 61.57(a), to act as pilot in command carrying passengers, you must have made at least three takeoffs and three landings in the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category, class, and — if a type rating is required — type. In an aircraft with a tailwheel, those landings must be full-stop.

Nighttime Passenger Currency Is a Separate, Stricter Requirement

Under 61.57(b), to carry passengers at night, the three takeoffs and landings must have been done at night, must be to a full stop, and the window during which they count is between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise — a narrower definition of "night" than the one used for logging night flight time or aircraft lighting requirements under 14 CFR § 1.1.

Why People Get This Wrong

It's common for a pilot to be current for day passengers but not realize their night currency lapsed separately — three day landings don't help you at night, and three touch-and-goes at night don't count either, since night currency specifically requires full-stop landings.