Staying current and proficient as a pilot

As a pilot in Canada, you need to practice certain skills or do training every 6 months, 2 years and 5 years. Recurrent training ensures your skills are, at minimum, what they were when you earned your certificate or rating.

Staying proficient is also important in keeping your overall knowledge and skills up to date. Learn about your currency requirements as well as things you can practice regularly to stay proficient.

On this page

• What you need to fly
• How to stay current
• How to stay proficient

What you need to fly

The Canadian Aviation Regulations tell us that pilots must have:

• a valid licence or permit
• a valid medical certificate
• a valid aviation document booklet

Note: you can check the expiry date on your booklet’s information page. If you don’t have one, consider contacting your regional Flight Crew Licensing office.

How to stay current

In addition to meeting the requirements above, pilots must also stay current. Here’s how:

1. Every 6 months:
   • Pilots who wish to carry 1 or more passengers must complete at least 5 takeoffs and 5 landings in the category and class* of aircraft in which they carry passengers
   • Pilots who wish to carry passengers at night must complete 5 takeoffs and 5 landings at night
   • Glider pilots have the option of completing 2 takeoffs and landings with an instructor
   • Balloon pilotsare not allowed to land at night: if part of a balloon flight carrying passengers departs before dawn with the plan to land in the daylight, the pilot must have completed at least 5 landings during the day and 5 takeoffs at night (before dawn) in a balloon during the last 6 months

*Class refers to whether the aircraft is meant for land or sea, whether it is single-engine or multi-engine, etc.

• Complete a flight review with an instructor
• Attend a Transport Canada aviation safety seminar
• Participate in a Transport Canada-approved recurrent training program
• Complete the self-paced study program, which is updated each year
• Complete a training program or pilot proficiency check required by Part IV, VI or VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations
• Complete the requirements for the issue or renewal of a licence, permit or rating
• Pass the written exam for a licence, permit or rating

Pilots who do not complete this requirement must:

• successfully complete a flight review with an instructor, and
• pass the Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations examination

**Category refers to whether the aircraft is a glider, airplane, helicopter, balloon, gyroplane, etc.

To review the requirements in full, see the Canadian Aviation Regulations , 421.05.