CASA recency rules: CASR 61.395, 61.870 and the flight reviews
Checked against the sources below on 29 October 2026. How these guides are written
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Under CASR Part 61, to carry a passenger by day you need 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in the previous 90 days in an aircraft of that category (or an approved simulator), by day or night. To carry a passenger at night those 3 and 3 must be at night. To fly IFR you need 3 instrument approach operations in the previous 90 days and a valid IPC. A night VFR rating needs 1 night takeoff and landing in 6 months. Class and type ratings need a flight review every 24 months.
- Passenger by day
- 3 takeoffs and 3 landings, by day or night, same category
- Previous 90 days
- 61.395(1)
- Passenger at night
- 3 takeoffs and 3 landings at night, same category
- Previous 90 days
- 61.395(2)
- IFR approaches
- 3 instrument approach operations (1 in the same category)
- Previous 90 days
- 61.870(2), (3)
- Instrument proficiency check
- Valid IPC for the category
- To the end of the 12th month after the check
- 61.880
- Night VFR rating
- 1 night takeoff and 1 night landing, or an instructor's assessment
- Previous 6 months
- 61.965
- Class or type flight review
- Flight review (or a listed substitute)
- To the end of the 24th month after the month of the review
- 61.745, 61.800
Carrying passengers: 61.395
By day you are "authorised to pilot, during takeoff or landing, an aircraft of a particular category carrying a passenger by day only if the holder has, within the previous 90 days, in an aircraft of that category or an approved flight simulator for the purpose, conducted, by day or night: (a) at least 3 takeoffs; and (b) at least 3 landings; while controlling the aircraft or flight simulator." 61.395(2) applies the same test at night, with the takeoffs and landings "conducted, at night".
61.395(3) adds that "each takeoff must be followed by a climb to at least 500 ft AGL." You also meet the rule if, within the 90 days, you passed a flight review, IPC, proficiency check or a licence or rating flight test that included at least 1 takeoff and 1 landing (at night for the night rule), or while you take part in an approved operator training and checking system (61.395(4) to (6)).
The CASR Dictionary defines night as "the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of the following morning civil twilight."
Instrument flight: 61.870 to 61.880
You are "authorised to pilot an aircraft under the IFR only if the holder has conducted at least 3 instrument approach operations within the previous 90 days in an aircraft or an approved flight simulation training device for the purpose" (61.870(2)), with at least 1 in the same category (61.870(3)). To fly a 2D approach, a 3D approach, an azimuth guidance operation or a CDI operation, you need one of the same kind in the previous 90 days (61.870(4) to (7)).
Single-pilot IFR also needs "a flight or simulated flight under the IFR in a single-pilot operation within the previous 6 months" of at least one hour with at least one approach (61.875). Your instrument proficiency check is valid "to the end of the 12th month after the month in which the holder successfully completes the check", and renewing within 3 months of expiry keeps the old anniversary (61.880(3)). A failed IPC ends validity straight away.
Night VFR and flight reviews
A night VFR rating holder needs, "within the previous 6 months", at least one night takeoff and one night landing in that category while controlling the aircraft, or an assessment by a flight instructor with a night VFR training endorsement (61.965). The rating also needs a flight review "within the previous 24 months" (61.970).
A class rating flight review lasts until "the end of the 24th month after the month in which the holder completes the review" (61.745), and type ratings use the same wording (61.800). Renewing within 3 months of expiry runs the new 24 months from the old expiry. A flight test, an operator proficiency check, or an IPC can count as the review (61.745(3), (3A)).
Mistakes pilots make
- Thinking recency is per type. CASA counts per aircraft category.
- Thinking day passenger recency needs day landings. Night circuits count "by day or night".
- Mixing up the night rules: carrying passengers at night is 3 and 3 in 90 days; keeping a night VFR rating alive is 1 and 1 in 6 months.
- Using the FAA's 6 approaches. CASA IFR recency is 3 approach operations in 90 days.
- Assuming the night VFR review and the class review run on the same clock. One is "within the previous 24 months", the other runs to the end of the 24th month.
What Off Chocks tracks
- Counts passenger recency by category: 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in 90 days by day, and 3 night takeoffs and landings in 90 days at night, using civil-twilight night from each flight's airports.
- Counts 3 instrument approaches in 90 days, flown in an aircraft or in an FFS or FTD, and flags when you lack a recent 2D or 3D approach.
- Tracks your IPC, flight review and night VFR review from the expiry dates you enter in Credentials, with reminders. It does not work out those dates for you, and it does not yet track 61.965 night VFR recency or 61.875 single-pilot IFR.
- If your operator's training and checking system keeps you current, you can mark that, and Off Chocks shows the reason.
Common questions
- Do night landings count toward CASA day passenger recency?
- Yes. 61.395(1) says the 3 takeoffs and 3 landings can be conducted "by day or night".
- Does CASA require a full-stop landing?
- Part 61 does not say full stop, but every takeoff must be followed by a climb to at least 500 ft AGL (61.395(3)).
- How many approaches do I need to stay IFR current in Australia?
- At least 3 instrument approach operations in the previous 90 days, with at least 1 in the same aircraft category, plus a valid IPC (61.870, 61.880).
- How long does a CASA IPC last?
- To the end of the 12th month after the month you passed it. Renew within the 3 months before expiry and the new 12 months run from the old expiry.
Sources
This is a plain-words summary to help you keep your own records, not legal advice. The regulation and your operator's procedures always take precedence.