What’s the Difference Between Currency and Proficiency?

It’s important to know the difference between the FAA’s standards and your own.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 02:38 PM ET

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It can take time to regain proficiency even if you are legally current. [Photo: Bertl123/Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA defines pilot proficiency through the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which outline specific performance metrics and knowledge required for airman certification, such as maintaining altitude and airspeed tolerances.
Pilot currency, established through specific flight activities, does not automatically equate to proficiency; a pilot can be current but lack proficiency if they consistently fail to meet ACS standards.
Proficiency requires ongoing practice to meet or exceed the minimum standards set in the ACS, and the FAA leaves the responsibility for regaining and maintaining proficiency to individual pilots.

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Question: I have just returned to flying after a several-year gap. I know the FAA has rules about what pilots need to do to establish VFR and IFR currency but haven’t been able to find any information on how proficiency is established. Does the FAA have rules on what a pilot needs to work on?

Answer: In a manner of speaking, the metrics for proficiency are found in the airman certification standards. The ACS lists the tasks and knowledge required for airman certification.