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advisory circular

AC 61-98E Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check

AC No: 61-98E Version 10/30/24
All Library Documents FAA Source PDF

Chapter Chapter 1

General

  • FAA-H-8083-16, Instrument Procedures Handbook.
  • FAA-H-8083-25, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
  1. Information for Operators (InFO) 15012, Logging Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP), dated September 8, 2015.
  1. FAA ACs (current editions):
  • AC 60-28, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107.
  • AC 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors.
  • AC 61-136, FAA Approval of Aviation Training Devices and Their Use for Training and Experience.
  • AC 91-73, Parts 91 and 135 Single Pilot, Flight School Procedures During Taxi Operations.
  1. The FAA, commercial sources, and industry associations such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) make many additional sources of media on pilot currency and qualification available.

1.7 Background.

1.7.1 Regulatory Review.

In 1997, the FAA initiated a major regulatory review and update of 14 CFR parts 61 and 141 to ensure that these regulations conformed to the then-current technological and operational environment and to address future pilot certification needs. This version of AC 61-98 addresses changes in technology and the operational environment, and their impact on recurrent training and proficiency checks. Edits to this AC, since the original version, have expanded the scope to include recent flight experience and IPCs.

1.7.2 GA Pilots.

The FAA supports initiatives designed to encourage voluntary compliance with existing regulations and to maintain and further improve the GA safety record with a minimum of new regulations. As a result, the FAA has determined that updated advisory guidance is necessary with respect to the currency, proficiency, and qualification needs of GA pilots. The guidance contained in this version of AC 61-98 provides such information and accomplishes the goals of the personal currency program, flight review, and IPC.

1.7.3 Reducing GA Accidents.

The FAA added important General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC) findings and recommendations to AC 61-98 pertaining to GA accidents (see paragraph 2.1).

  1. GA pilots should become aware of this information and apply it to their personal currency program plans of action.
  1. Flight instructors should apply this information to their training and evaluation plans of action.

1.8 FAA Aviation English Language Standard (AELS).