GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION

OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI

OPERATIONS CIRCULAR 01 OF 2024

File No: DGCA-22024/15/2023-FSD, Comp No: 242614 Rev 1 Dated: 09 July 2024

Subject: Recency requirements for pilots operating aeroplane having all-up-

weight not exceeding 5,700 Kgs.

1. Introduction:
While CAR Section 8 Series F Part I defines the recency requirements for pilots operating any
multi pilot aeroplanes or aeroplanes with AUW (all up weight) of 5,700 Kgs and above, these
circular lays down the training and checking recency requirements for pilots / trainee pilots flying
aeroplanes having AUW below 5,700 Kgs.

2. Applicability:
This circular is applicable to pilots flying single pilot aeroplanes having AUW not exceeding
5,700 Kg endorsed on their license. This recency requirement shall also be applicable to pilots
who exercise privileges of open rating in terms of AIC 3 of 1985, in which case the requirement
of recency on aforesaid type will be counted from the date of their last takeoff and landing on
that particular type / variant of aeroplane flown, while exercising privileges of open rating.
These requirements are mandatory and constitute continuing requirements of qualification
gained, in terms of CAR Section 7 Series B Part XVIII.
With the issue of this circular, Operations Circular 2 of 2004 stands repealed.

3. All pilots operating aeroplanes carrying revenue or non-revenue passengers are required to
have recent flying experience of three takeoff and landings either on that type or variant of
aeroplane or on an approved FSTD of type/ similar type in the preceding 90 days. Pilots
operating aeroplanes to carry revenue or non-revenue passengers by night are required to
have recent flying experience of three takeoff and landing on that type or variant of aeroplane
by night or on an approved FSTD of type/ similar type by night in the preceding 90 days.
Note: Pilots having the above mentioned night recency of 3 takeoff and landing by night, are
deemed to have met the aforesaid day recency requirements.

4. Pilots having at-least one takeoff and landing on the intended type or similar type in the
preceding 90 days may regain recency defined in paragraph 3 above by flying the aeroplane
as PF(U/S) under the supervision of an experienced PIC who has recency on type and has
at-least 1000 hours overall experience and 500 hours on type / similar type, provided no
passengers or cargo are carried on such flight.

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5. Recency training / checks requirements for pilots not having recent flying experience of at least
one takeoff and landing on the particular type or variant of aeroplane or on FSTD of similar
type in the preceding 90 days;

Gap in
# Requirement of training / checks
flying
1 More than (a) Ground technical/ performance refresher including limitations,memory
or equal to items, abnormal/ emergency procedures and SOP with a DGCA approved
90 days but check-pilot/ examiner/ AME/ CFI/ Dy. CFI/ FI/ AFI or with an ICAO state
not approved ATO. Minimum duration of such ground class shall be four hours.
exceeding Evidence / Certificate to this effect shall be issued by concerned person.
180 days.
This shall be followed by aeroplane visit and cockpit familiarization under
the supervision of check-pilot/ examiner / AME/ CFI/ Dy. CFI/ FI/ AFI.

2 More than Complete (a) above and

180 days (b) One familiarization flight with takeoff and landing of not less than 0:45 hrs
but not preferably during night, with DGCA approved check-pilot/ examiner/ CFI/
exceeding Dy.CFI/ FI/ AFI on type. OR a training session of 1:00 hour on a FSTD in
two years which case the FSTD, ATO and the instructor/ examiner shall be approved
for such purpose by the regulatory authority of the ICAO contracting state.

3 More than two (a) and (b) above by day, and

year but not
exceeding (c) One familiarization flight of not less than 0:45 hrs by night with a DGCA
four years approved check-pilot / examiner / CFI/ Dy CFI/ FI on type. OR a training
session of 1:00 hour on a FSTD by Night in which case the FSTD, ATO and
the instructor / examiner shall be approved for the purpose by the regulatory
authorityof the ICAO contracting state.

4 More than (a), (b) by day, and (c) above, and;

four years but
not exceeding (d) One skill test (day or night) /Check Flight (in case of student pilots) on
seven years aeroplane with DGCA approved check- pilot / examiner / CFI/ Dy CFI,
which shall not be less than 1:00 hour and shall include 3 takeoffs and
landings.

5 Exceeding Full initial type training including suitable ground class, FSTD / aeroplane
seven years training followed by checks as required for a new endorsement.

Note 1: It is not necessary to repeat the technical general, technical specific and performance
DGCA papers for (5) above, in case a suitable ground course is undertaken with the ICAO state
approved ATO / FTO.
Note 2: In the case of non-jet single engine aeroplane with AUW less than 1500 Kg, (b) & (c)
above can also be accomplished with an experienced PIC who has recent experience on that
particular type provided he has at-least 1000 hours overall experience and 500 hours on the
intended type / similar type.
Note 3: Any solo flight requirement for license / rating renewal or to meet requirements of (5) of
the above table can be undertaken as PF by the trainee under supervision of an examiner/
check-pilot/ CFI/ Dy. CFI on board and the same shall be logged as PF U/S. Such flight(s) shall
be considered as equivalent to solo for the purpose of meeting regulatory requirements.

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6. The requirements of table in paragraph (5) above may be combined with any requirements
of training / checks / skill test that is required for the purpose of renewal of license /ratings

7. In case of pilots utilizing the privileges of open rating on aeroplane having AUW not exceeding
5700 Kgs for the first time, having not flown that particular type of aeroplane earlier, following
recency training / check requirements shall be applicable;

a. Technical and performance training of minimum 4 hours with AME/ examiner/ check-pilot/
CFI/ FI/ AFI, Evidence/Certificate to this effect shall be issued by concerned person.
b. One Familiarization flight by day or night of minimum 0:45 hrs.
c. GFT day and GFT night which shall not be less than 1:00 hour and shall include three
takeoffs and landings each. IR check may be combined with GFT Day/night.

8. The above requirements are not applicable for aero planes used for hobby flying and joy
rides such as microlights, balloons, gliders, light sports aeroplane and gyroplanes AND
aeroplanes not equipped with dual controls. The owner / operator of such aeroplanes shall
conduct an extensive safety risk assessment to determine risks, and provide adequate
mitigatory measures by way of defining the recency requirements for pilots with various gaps
in flying. The owner / operator shall be solely responsible to ensure that such requirements
and risk mitigation measures are adequate to ensure that any such gaps do not impact safe
aeroplane operations. Such requirements/ mitigation measures shall be in writing and shall
form part of either the operations manual or where no operations manual is published, shall
be added as an additional operating limitation and attached to the POH / AFM or equivalent
document. Such documentation shall be distributed to all pilots and shall also be available
on board for ready reference by all pilots.

9. In the case of aeroplanes requiring type rating on FSTD as recommended either by the OEM
or under OSD / OEB / FSB issued by the state of type certification, pilots shall undergo
recurrent training on FSTD at least once in two years. In case enough simulators are not
readily available globally, the recurrent training may be undertaken on aeroplane after
obtaining approval of FSD, DGCA.

10. In the case of pilots of scheduled / non-scheduled or scheduled commuter operations,

training shall be as per the approved OM D provided provisions are in line with or more
conservative than the provisions of this circular. All other recency, training and checking
requirements as defined in the applicable regulations shall also apply.

11. Record of All ground training, aeroplane familiarization, training and checks shall be
maintained. DGCA forms shall be used for all flight checks. Softcopies of ICAO contracting
state approval of the concerned check-pilot / instructor / examiner / FSTD / ATO approvals
relating to each training / check instance shall be retained for record for a period of seven
years.

Sd/-
(Vikram Dev Dutt)
Director General of Civil Aviation