As a pilot in Canada, you need to practice certain skills or do training every 6 months, 2 years and 5 years. Recurrent training ensures your skills are, at minimum, what they were when you earned your certificate or rating.
Staying proficient is also important in keeping your overall knowledge and skills up to date. Learn about your currency requirements as well as things you can practice regularly to stay proficient.
On this page
What you need to fly
The Canadian Aviation Regulations tell us that pilots must have:
Note: you can check the expiry date on your booklet’s information page. If you don’t have one, consider contacting your regional Flight Crew Licensing office.
How to stay current
In addition to meeting the requirements above, pilots must also stay current. Here’s how:
- Every 6 months:
- Pilots who wish to carry 1 or more passengers must complete at least 5 takeoffs and 5 landings in the category and class of aircraft in which they carry passengers
- Pilots who wish to carry passengers at night must complete 5 takeoffs and 5 landings at night
- Glider pilots have the option of completing 2 takeoffs and landings with an instructor
- Balloon pilotsare not allowed to land at night: if part of a balloon flight carrying passengers departs before dawn with the plan to land in the daylight, the pilot must have completed at least 5 landings during the day and 5 takeoffs at night (before dawn) in a balloon during the last 6 months
*Class refers to whether the aircraft is meant for land or sea, whether it is single-engine or multi-engine, etc.
- Every 2 years, you must complete one of these training activities:
- Complete a flight review with an instructor
- Attend a Transport Canada aviation safety seminar
- Participate in a Transport Canada-approved recurrent training program
- Complete the self-paced study program, which is updated each year
- Complete a training program or pilot proficiency check required by Part IV, VI or VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations
- Complete the requirements for the issue or renewal of a licence, permit or rating
- Pass the written exam for a licence, permit or rating
- Every 5 years, you must fly as pilot-in-command or co-pilot in an aircraft.
Pilots who do not complete this requirement must:
- successfully complete a flight review with an instructor, and
- pass the Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Air Regulations examination (PSTAR).
To review the requirements in full, see the Canadian Aviation Regulations, 421.05.
How to stay proficient
The Canadian Aviation Regulations outlines the requirements for staying current. However, staying current doesn’t always mean that you’re staying proficient as a pilot. By staying proficient, you’re keeping your overall knowledge and skills up to date.
For example:
- When was the last time you practiced a forced approach, stall or full-flap overshoot?
- When did you work on your cross-wind land technique?
- When did you last fly with an instructor?
- How prepared are you if a real emergency happens?
To improve your proficiency, practice your skills. Do this with an instructor or on your own. One way is to become current, then practice by yourself until you feel you’re fully competent.
Stay proficient by regularly:
- reading about changes to the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual
- reviewing your pilot operating handbook
- practicing emergency procedures and flight exercises
- attending Transport Canada and certified industry seminars
To meet the 2-year requirement, you can complete the Transport Canada self-paced study program. We publish an update about this program each year in the Aviation Safety Letter.
Attending a Transport Canada aviation safety seminar in your region is also a way to meet the 2-year requirement.
Watch a video on staying proficient
How to remain proficient, as well as current as a pilot