A pilot certificate, commonly referred to as a license, is the fundamental authorization granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate an aircraft. Understanding its validity requires distinguishing between the physical certificate and the legal privileges associated with it. While the certificate itself is permanent, the ability to act as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) depends on meeting specific, time-sensitive regulatory requirements. These ongoing requirements ensure the pilot maintains satisfactory health and recent flight experience to safely exercise their authority.
The Pilot Certificate Itself: Does It Expire?
The Private Pilot Certificate, the foundational document for non-commercial flight, does not have an expiration date printed on the card. Once a pilot successfully completes the required training and passes the practical examination (checkride), the certificate is issued and remains valid indefinitely. This permanence treats the certificate as an earned qualification rather than temporary permission. A pilot may only lose the certificate through formal FAA action, such as revocation, suspension, or voluntary surrender. Ongoing requirements relate only to the privileges the certificate grants, not the document itself.
Maintaining Pilot Privileges
The FAA establishes the requirements for a pilot to legally utilize their permanent certificate through Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 61. This section governs the certification of pilots and sets the standard for maintaining flight authority. To exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate, two separate, time-based criteria must be satisfied concurrently. A pilot must possess a current and valid medical certificate, confirming physical fitness, and demonstrate recent flight experience, known as currency. Meeting both standards is mandatory to act as Pilot-in-Command of an aircraft.
Requirement One: The Medical Certificate
The medical certificate is the primary time-based constraint on a pilot’s authority, ensuring they meet the necessary physical and mental health standards for safe flight. The FAA utilizes three classes of medical certificates, each corresponding to different operational levels and holding distinct validity periods established under FAR 61.23. The First Class Medical Certificate is required for airline transport pilots and carries the shortest duration, reflecting the demanding nature of commercial operations.
For pilots under 40, a First Class Medical is valid for 12 calendar months for airline transport pilot duties. It then reverts to Second Class privileges for the next 12 months, and finally to Third Class privileges for the subsequent 24 months. Pilots aged 40 and over see a reduced validity period, with the First Class Medical expiring after only 6 calendar months for airline duties. This age-based reduction necessitates more frequent examinations to maintain the highest level of flight authority.
The Second Class Medical is sought by commercial pilots who fly for compensation or hire, but not under stringent airline rules. This certificate is valid for 12 calendar months for commercial privileges, regardless of the pilot’s age. Afterward, it automatically converts to a Third Class Medical for the remainder of its total validity.
The Third Class Medical is the minimum requirement for private pilots and is the most common certificate held by recreational flyers. For pilots under 40, the certificate is valid for 60 calendar months (five years), reflecting lower operational demands. Pilots aged 40 or older must renew their Third Class Medical every 24 calendar months.
Requirement Two: Maintaining Flight Currency
The Biennial Flight Review
Maintaining flight currency involves demonstrating recent knowledge and skill in aircraft operation, distinct from the medical requirement. The foundational requirement for all pilots to exercise PIC privileges is the successful completion of a Flight Review (FR) every 24 calendar months, mandated by FAR 61.56. This review is an instructional assessment conducted by an authorized flight instructor, not a test.
The Flight Review must include a minimum of one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight instruction. The ground portion covers the pilot’s knowledge of current FARs and operating procedures. The flight portion assesses the pilot’s ability to safely perform maneuvers appropriate to the aircraft flown.
If the 24-calendar-month period expires without completing a Flight Review, the pilot is considered “not current” and cannot legally act as Pilot-in-Command. The pilot must complete a satisfactory Flight Review with an instructor before flying solo or carrying passengers. The date of the review resets the 24-month clock, ensuring continuous oversight of pilot proficiency.
Carrying Passengers
A separate, shorter-term currency requirement applies specifically to carrying passengers, ensuring recent experience with takeoff and landing operations. To carry passengers, a pilot must have performed three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category and class. This rule, defined by FAR 61.57, focuses on operational proficiency in the most dynamic phases of flight.
The landings must be performed to a full stop if the aircraft is a tailwheel type, reflecting the greater control complexity of that configuration. The regulation also requires the three takeoffs and three landings to be performed between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise to carry passengers at night. Failing to meet this 90-day requirement only prevents the pilot from carrying passengers, but they may still act as PIC solo if their medical and Flight Review are current.
What Happens When Pilot Privileges Lapse?
When a pilot’s privileges lapse due to an expired medical certificate or overdue Flight Review, the pilot does not lose their permanent certificate or need to retake initial practical or knowledge tests. The reinstatement process is straightforward, focusing only on completing the specific lapsed requirement. If a pilot’s medical certificate expires, they schedule an appointment with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and pass the required physical examination to obtain a new certificate.
If the 24-month window for the Flight Review has passed, the pilot only needs to complete a satisfactory review with an authorized flight instructor. The instructor endorses the pilot’s logbook, immediately restoring flight currency and allowing them to resume acting as PIC. The ease of reinstatement ensures pilots who take a break from flying can quickly return to the cockpit once they meet basic safety standards. Completing the 90-day takeoff and landing requirement is the quickest form of reinstatement for carrying passengers.
Differences Between Commercial and Private Requirements
While the underlying FAA pilot certificate rules in FAR Part 61 apply to all pilots, commercial operations impose stricter and more frequent testing demands than those required for private flight. Pilots operating under Part 121 (airlines) or Part 135 (charters and air taxi) are subject to rigorous operational rules that exceed the minimum biennial Flight Review. These regulations mandate frequent, often semi-annual, proficiency checks and line checks conducted by the company or the FAA.
A commercial pilot maintains currency through recurrent training programs that include flight simulators and knowledge tests, often on a monthly or quarterly basis, in addition to the 24-month Flight Review. These checks test the pilot’s ability to handle complex emergencies and adhere to standard operating procedures. Commercial operators require pilots to maintain a First or Second Class Medical at all times, ensuring continuous medical fitness that is more demanding than the recreational Third Class standard. This system ensures pilots operating commercially are at peak proficiency and medical readiness.