**Executive Summary**
This Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), effective immediately as of April 2025, outlines the recency requirements for pilots operating multi-pilot aeroplanes and aeroplanes with an All Up Weight (AUW) of 5700 kg or above. It specifies training and checking requirements based on the gap in flying time, and sets forth provisions for non-flying pilots to maintain recency. A transitional concession is provided until April 15, 2025, regarding gap calculations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Applicability:** The CAR applies to scheduled, non-scheduled, scheduled commuter, and general aviation operators of multi-pilot aeroplanes and aeroplanes having AUW of 5700 kg and above.
* **Recency Requirement (General):** Pilots must have performed at least three take-offs and landings within the preceding 90 days on the same type of aeroplane, either on an aircraft or in a flight simulator.
* **Training and Checking Requirements:**
* Operators must ensure pilots undergo minimum training based on the gap in flying time.
* Specifies training requirements (Simulator/Aircraft training, Ground Training Required) for gaps ranging from "More than 90 days to 6 Months" to "More than 7 years."
* Operators must establish and ensure completion of the appropriate syllabus of SLF (Surface Level Flight) and Route checks.
* **Non-Flying Pilots:**
* The CAR outlines a liberalized recency regime for pilots not currently employed by Indian operators, including those flying abroad on foreign licenses.
* Non-flying pilots must undergo annual training/checks, including a minimum annual ground refresher and either a Pilot Proficiency Check or general flying tests/skill-tests.
* Completion of annual recency from 15th April 2025 is sufficient for license and instrument rating renewal.
* **General:**
* Annual ground refresher is required for a gap in flying of up to one year.
* Pilot / Operator shall maintain records of each training/ check for 7 years.
* The DGCA may prescribe an alternate recency program based on operational circumstances.
**Impact Analysis**
**Multi-Pilot Aeroplane and Aeroplane Operators**
* **Impact:** Must ensure their pilots meet recency requirements before assigning flying duties, including minimum take-offs and landings and additional training based on flying gaps.
* **Action Required:** Implement training programs that comply with the CAR's requirements, maintain records of pilot training, and adapt "gap in flying" syllabus.
**Pilots (Currently Flying)**
* **Impact:** Need to ensure they maintain recency through regular take-offs and landings or undergo appropriate training as per the CAR.
* **Action Required:** Maintain a log of flights and training, and participate in required refresher courses and checks.
**Pilots (Non-Flying)**
* **Impact:** Can maintain their license and rating through a liberalized recency regime that includes annual ground refreshers and either a proficiency check or general flying tests.
* **Action Required:** Complete annual training/checks to maintain recency and ensure they are prepared to meet operator conversion course requirements before flying duties.
Key Entities Referenced
Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR): The primary regulatory instrument for civil aviation in India; the document details recency requirements for multi-pilot aeroplanes and aeroplanes of AUW 5700 Kgs and above.
Aircraft Rules, 1937: Referenced rules under which this CAR is issued and which also defines other applicable renewal requirements.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulator issuing the CAR and responsible for overseeing its implementation.
ICAO Annex 6: International Civil Aviation Organization standards related to operator requirements for flight crew training.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI-110 003
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 8 – AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
SERIES 'F', PART I
ISSUE II, ___ April 2025. EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
F.No. : DGCA-22024/4/2022-FSD
Subject: Recency Requirements for multi pilot aeroplanes & aeroplanes of
AUW 5700 Kgs and above
1. INTRODUCTION
ICAO Annex 6 standards requires an operator to establish and maintain a
ground and flight training programme, which ensures that all flight crew
members are current and adequately trained to perform their assigned duties,
and stipulates the recent experience requirements that need to be ensured
prior to assigning pilot-in-command and/or co-pilot duties.
The operator shall not assign a pilot to operate at the flight controls of a type
or variant of a type of multi pilot aeroplane or aeroplane having AUW of 5,700
kg or above, during take-off and landing unless, that pilot has operated the
flight controls during at least three take-offs and landings within the preceding
90 days on the same type of aeroplane either on aircraft, or in a flight simulator
approved for the purpose.
Additionally, in order to exercise privileges of rating on such aeroplane, all
licences, qualifications, medical and Instrument Rating on type, if applicable, is
required to be current and the pilot shall have successfully completed Pilot
Proficiency Checks (PPC) on the aeroplane type as required by Schedule II of
Aircraft Rules 1937
2. APPLICABILITY
2.1 This CAR is applicable to scheduled, non-scheduled, scheduled
commuter and general aviation operators of multi pilot aeroplanes
and aeroplanes having AUW of 5700 Kg and above. This CAR lays
down the requirements to be met by pilots of such operators, who do
not meet the prerequisites for continued exercise of privileges of the
aeroplane rating before they undertakes PIC or Co-pilot duties.
2.2 This CAR is issued under the provisions of Rule 29C and Rule 133A of
the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
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SERIES ‘F’ PART I 13th February 2013
3. TRAINING AND CHECKING REQUIREMENTS
3.1 All operators shall ensure that the following minimum training are
undertaken by pilots employed by them, prior to exercising privileges of the
aeroplane rating, in case any pilot does not have the prerequisite three
takeoff and landing either on simulator or aircraft within preceding 90 days:
-
Gap from 3
Takeoff and
Landings on Simulator/Aircraft Ground Training
approved simulator Training Required Required
or
Aircraft
3 Take off and landings in Annual Ground
3.1.1 More than simulator refresher training (if
90 days to 6 OR due) as applicable for
Months IR/ PPC (if due) the type of aeroplane
in Technical &
Regular Annual recurrent
3.1.2 More than 6
Performance
training syllabus followed by
Months to 12 Months
subjects, followed by a
and IR (if due) &
test.
PPC.
3.1.3 More than 1 Two training session as PF
Year to 2 Years & PM each, followed by an
Extended Ground
IR &PPC.
refresher training as
3.1.4 More than 2 Three training sessions as PF & applicable for the type
Years to PM each, followed by IR/PPC. of aeroplane in
Technical &
3 Years
Performance subjects
followed by a test.
3.1.5 More than 3 Four training sessions as PF &
Years to PM each, followed by IR/ PPC
5 Years
Six training sessions as PF & Complete ground
3.1.6 More than
PM each, followed by an IR/ training as for
5 years to 7 years
PPC type rating.
Complete ground and simulator syllabus as for
3.1.8 More than 7
type rating.
years
Note: (i) In addition to the above training, operators shall also establish and ensure
completion of appropriate syllabus of SLF and Route checks before their
pilots exercise the privileges of their licence on aircraft. The operator shall
design a “gap in flying” syllabus for each duration of gap, where the syllabus
is equal to or greater than the provisions of this CAR, and have the same
approved in their manual.
(ii) The trainer conducting the gap in flying syllabus (as per para 3.1) will
conduct briefing the pilot regarding latest changes and updates as per
documentation & approved Manual.
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SERIES ‘F’ PART I 13th February 2013
(iii) In case of non-availability of simulator, Operator / Pilot is required to have
the syllabus for training / check on aircraft approved from FSD, DGCA.
4. RECENCY APPLICABLE TO NON-FLYING PILOTS
4.1 Some highly qualified Indian pilots are not flying for Indian operators and are
instead, flying abroad for foreign operators on foreign license. Similarly,
some rated pilots are either engaged in non-flying assignments or awaiting
employment opportunities. DGCA encourages smooth induction of such
pilots in to active flying duties in India and endeavors to support such pilots
to maintain their license & rating in the interim, hence, the following
liberalized recency regime shall apply to non-flying pilots and pilots flying
abroad on foreign licenses, in order to overcome shortage of highly qualified
pilots.
4.2 The aforesaid pilots rated on multi-pilot aeroplanes and aeroplanes having
AUW of 5,700 Kg and above, who are currently not employed with any Indian
scheduled, non-scheduled, scheduled commuter or general aviation
operator, shall undergo a the following training/ checks each year; viz -
minimum of one annual ground refresher along with ground test, and either
(a) one Pilot Proficiency Check cum Instrument Check (where IR is due for
renewal), or (b) in lieu of 4.2(a) above, undergo general flying tests / skill-
tests by day and night (where license is due for renewal). Such training and
check shall be undergone with an ICAO contracting state approved ATO.
ATO approved ground instructor / Examiner may administer ground training
and test. PPC/ IR / general flying test / skill-test shall be undertaken with
ATO (where permissible)/ DGCA examiner or DGCA FOI. Pilots may apply
to FSD, DGCA to seek utilization of other examiners in case rated FOIs or
DGCA SFE/ examiners are not readily available for the purpose. eGCA log
book shall be used to compute the duration of gap in flying.
4.3 With effect from 15th April, 2025, completion of the aforesaid annual recency
in 4.2 above every year without any interruption shall be sufficient for the
purpose of renewal of such pilots’ license and instrument rating from time to
time, provided all other requirements of the Aircraft Rules 1937 as applicable
for such renewals are adhered to. For this purpose, as a one time
transitional concession, gap existing prior to 15th April, 2025 shall not be
counted provided minimum recency as per 3.1.5 is available as on 15th April
2025.
4.4 When such pilot maintaining recency stated in para 4.2 above joins an operator,
before assigning flying duties, such operator shall ensure that they undergo its
approved operators conversion course subject to minimum training / check
derived after applying gap of flying requirement stated in 3.1 above as applicable
for a gap of 2 years to 3 years. Additionally, such pilots will undergo line training
and checks as per the approved manual.
4.5 Recency defined in para 3.1 shall be applicable to aforesaid pilots in case they
fail maintain the recency specified in 4.2 above.
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5. GENERAL
5.1 Annual Ground Refresher is required for gap in flying upto one year including
recency required as per 4.1 above. Extended ground refresher is required
for any gap beyond one year. The topics, duration, test and testing
standards shall not be less than those defined in CAR Section 8 Series F
Part II.
5.2 Record indicating successful completion of each gap in flying training/ check
shall be maintained by the Pilot / Operator for a period of 7 years from the
date of such training / check.
5.3 Recency requirements applicable to single pilot aeroplanes and aeroplanes
having AUW below 5,700 kg are stipulated in OC 1 of 2024.
5.4 Based on operational circumstances and job function requirements, DGCA
may prescribe an alternate recency program that will be applicable to any
pilot or specific cohort of pilots such as rated non-flying defense pilots, FOIs,
Indian pilot license holders who are flying for foreign operators on foreign
pilot license etc. In such cases such alternate recency program shall apply
and the provisions of paragraph 3 and paragraph 4 of this CAR shall not be
applied.
Sd/-
(Faiz Ahmed Kidwai)
Director General of Civil Aviation
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