Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

Which factor determines if a pilot must have experience in a specific type of aircraft for carrying passengers at night?

1. Type of aircraft rating

2. Experience in the last 90 days

3. Aircraft category and class

4. Pilot's age and training

The correct answer is: Experience in the last 90 days

The requirement for a pilot to have specific experience when carrying passengers at night is determined by their experience in the last 90 days. This rule is in place to ensure that pilots are sufficiently current with their flying skills and familiar with the aircraft they will be operating, especially in nighttime conditions where visibility and situational awareness can be more challenging. To carry passengers at night, a pilot must have at least three takeoffs and landings in the same category and class of aircraft within the previous 90 days. This regulation emphasizes the importance of maintaining recent flying experience, which is crucial for a pilot's ability to respond effectively to nighttime flying challenges, such as decreased visibility and different operational considerations compared to daytime flying. While factors like the type of aircraft rating, the category and class of the aircraft, or the pilot's age and training can influence a pilot's qualifications, the specific requirement regarding recent flight experience for carrying passengers at night focuses on their recent activity in the aircraft they plan to fly.