The Expired Flight Review and a Passenger
A sport pilot's last flight review was signed off 25 months ago. He has not logged any time in the preceding 8 months. A coworker asks for a sightseeing flight in the pilot's two-seat LSA on Saturday. The pilot's logbook shows 140 total hours, all in type, and his driver's license is valid. He says, 'Nobody ramps a light-sport guy, and it's a local flight - 30 minutes around the pattern and the lake. The review is a formality anyway; I haven't forgotten how to fly.' He also mentions he has not completed any other proficiency event, such as a checkride or an FAA-sponsored proficiency program, since that review.
1. May he carry the passenger on Saturday? Address the flight review requirement and the passenger-carrying privilege.
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No. Two separate problems:
- Flight review. A flight review is required within the preceding 24 calendar months to act as PIC. His is 25 months old and he has no substitute event (a practical test, a new certificate/rating, or an FAA-recognized proficiency program can renew the 24-month clock). He is therefore not current to act as PIC at all - passenger or not.
- Passenger currency. Even with a current flight review, carrying passengers requires three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in the same category and class (and, for tailwheel aircraft, to a full stop). He has logged nothing for 8 months, so he is not passenger-current.
The 'nobody ramps an LSA' rationale is irrelevant - the regulation applies regardless of enforcement likelihood, and an accident or incident would expose the lack of currency immediately.
2. What must he complete before he can legally take the coworker up, and in what order does it make sense?
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Sequence:
- Flight review with an authorized instructor - at least 1 hour ground and 1 hour flight, covering the required areas of operation. Upon satisfactory completion, the instructor endorses the logbook, which restores PIC privileges for 24 calendar months.
- Three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days in the same category and class to restore passenger-carrying currency. These can be accomplished during or after the flight review; if done during the review, confirm they are logged.
- Consider a proficiency refresher first. With 8 months of no flying, going straight into a flight review - which is a test of competence - is unwise. A couple of dual flights to knock off rust improves the outcome and is better airmanship.
Only after 1 and 2 should he carry the passenger.
3. The pilot says the flight review 'isn't a test, so even if I'm rusty the instructor has to sign me off.' Is that correct? What are the instructor's obligations and the pilot's risk?
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Incorrect. A flight review is not a checkride, but the instructor is not obligated to endorse. The instructor must determine the pilot is proficient in the required areas; if not, no endorsement is given, and the instructor may log the time as training and specify what must be improved.
The pilot's risk runs both ways:
- Regulatory: flying as PIC without a current flight review, or with passengers without 90-day currency, is a violation.
- Practical/insurance: many policies condition coverage on the pilot being properly certificated and current; an accident on an uncurrent flight could jeopardize coverage and expose him personally.
- Safety: 8 months of inactivity plus a rusty pilot plus a passenger is a poor combination, especially in a light, responsive LSA.
The mature answer is to treat the review as a genuine proficiency event, not a box to be checked.