VFR currency requirements

[Riddle momma]

Ok, after instructing for a while, you figure you pretty much have heard all the silly questions about regs... Here is one that threw me for a loop:

Where in the regulations does it say night landings count for day currency, but that day landings don't count for night?

 

[bigD]

§61.57 Recent flight experience: Pilot in command.


(a) General experience. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers or of an aircraft certificated for more than one pilot flight crewmember unless that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days, and --

<SNIP>

(b) Night takeoff and landing experience. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, unless within the preceding 90 days that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, and --


(b) pretty much lays out that you HAVE to do your takeoffs and landings at night for night currency. The fact that (a) doesn't specify a time of day implies (at least to me) that any landings done within the preceeding 90 days count, much in the same way that since it doesn't specify that the landings must be full stop, they can be touch and go's.

 

[bobbysamd]

Landings for currency

Don't worry, your night landings count for any kind of currency, day or night. For them to count for night currency, they cannot be touch and goes.

 

[Toy Soldier]

bobbysamd

Is there a printed FAA interpretation on that rule? I'd like to have it if there is.

Thanx!

 

[Riddle momma]

Well, here is my dilemma:

"61.57a2- For the purpose of meeting the requirement of paragraph a1 of this section, a person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft under day VFR or day IFR, provided no persons or property... blah blah"

I am misreading it, or does that not limit the day landings to day?

Thanks for your imput!

 

[Visceral]

Maybe you are reading into it too much. It doesn't say "a person shall act as PIC under day VFR or day IFR", just that they may. I'm with BigD. It doesn't specify a time before or after sunset under 61.57a like 61.57b does.

 

[bobbysamd]

Takeoffs and landings

Is there a printed FAA interpretation on that rule? I'd like to have it if there is.

I don't know if there is such a written interpretation. Just like bigD, I'm just reading the plain meaning of 14 CFR 61.57(a):

(a) General experience.(1) [N]o person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers . . . unless that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days . . .

61.57(a) makes no distinction between day and night takeoffs and landings for the purpose of determining day currency for carrying pax, so, taking the plain meaning, night takeoffs and landings will count for day ops. Of course, night takeoff and landing experience requirements are set forth in 61.57(b), and the landings have to be to a full stop:

[N]o person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, unless . . . that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop. . . .

There's no question about that, although I've heard it argued that doing three stop-and-goes do not count for night currency.

I never heard this question raised until I read it here. Every instructor and pilot I have known, which includes some very experienced and knowledgable people, never said that night TOs and landings cannot count for day. Perhaps our contributors Midlifeflyer and/or Avbug know of a general counsel letter or something and will post it.

 

[Riddle momma]

I love smart students. They bring joy to instructing...

I see what you guys are saying. Thanks a bunch for all the help. I do appreciate it.