EASA recent experience (FCL.060) in plain words
Checked against the sources below on 29 October 2026. How these guides are written
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Under EASA FCL.060 you may not fly commercial air transport or carry passengers as pilot in command or co-pilot unless you have flown 3 takeoffs, approaches and landings as pilot flying in the preceding 90 days, in the same type or class or a full flight simulator of it. To do so as pilot in command at night you also need 1 night takeoff, approach and landing in the preceding 90 days, unless you hold an instrument rating.
- CAT or passengers, PIC or co-pilot
- 3 takeoffs, approaches and landings as pilot flying
- Preceding 90 days, same type or class or its FFS
- FCL.060(b)(1)
- PIC at night
- 1 takeoff, approach and landing at night as pilot flying, or hold an IR
- Preceding 90 days
- FCL.060(b)(2)
- CAT extension
- Line flying under a TRI or TRE
- Up to 120 days
- FCL.060(c)(1)
Carrying passengers: FCL.060(b)(1)
"A pilot shall not operate an aircraft in commercial air transport or for carrying passengers: (1) as PIC or co-pilot unless he or she has carried out, in the preceding 90 days, at least 3 takeoffs, approaches and landings as a pilot flying in an aircraft of the same type or class or an FFS representing that type or class."
Two details matter. The landings must be flown "as a pilot flying", and only a full flight simulator (FFS) counts, not a lesser training device. The 3 takeoffs and landings are done "in either multi-pilot or single-pilot operations, depending on the privileges held by the pilot". AMC1 FCL.060(b)(1) adds that an instructor or examiner on board for these flights is not counted as a passenger.
Night: FCL.060(b)(2)
As pilot in command at night you need either "at least 1 take-off, approach and landing at night as a pilot flying in an aircraft of the same type or class or an FFS representing that type or class" in the preceding 90 days, or to hold an instrument rating (IR).
FCL.010 defines night as "the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight or such other period between sunset and sunrise as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority".
Commercial air transport: the 120-day extension
"In the case of commercial air transport, the 90-day period ... may be extended up to a maximum of 120 days, as long as the pilot undertakes line flying under the supervision of a type rating instructor or examiner." Otherwise a lapsed pilot regains recency with a training flight with an instructor (FCL.060(c)(2)). Cruise relief co-pilots have their own options in FCL.060(b)(3).
Mistakes pilots make
- Counting landings flown as pilot monitoring. FCL.060 needs pilot flying.
- Counting a fixed-base training device. Only an FFS of the type or class counts.
- Assuming recency on one type covers another. EASA counts per type or class.
- Forgetting that a valid instrument rating removes the night requirement for PIC.
What Off Chocks tracks
- Counts 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in 90 days for each type or class you fly.
- Counts the 1 night takeoff and landing in 90 days, and shows you as current at night through your IR when you hold one.
- Does not model the 120-day CAT extension or the cruise relief rules; use your operator's records for those.
Common questions
- Does EASA recency need a full-stop landing?
- FCL.060 does not say full stop. It says takeoffs, approaches and landings as pilot flying in the same type or class or its FFS.
- Do I need a night landing if I hold an IR?
- No. FCL.060(b)(2)(ii) lets a pilot who holds an IR act as PIC at night without the night takeoff, approach and landing.
- Can I use a simulator?
- Yes, a full flight simulator (FFS) representing the type or class. Other training devices do not count for FCL.060(b).
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.