Definition
A specific federal aviation regulation that establishes night passenger-carrying recency requirements. To carry passengers at night (defined as the period beginning one hour after sunset and ending one hour before sunrise), a pilot must have made, within the preceding 90 days, at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during that night period, in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required).
Plain English
This is the rule that says: if you want to fly passengers at night, you must have done three full-stop takeoffs and landings at night, in the same kind of aircraft, within the last 90 days. If you haven't, you can still fly at night yourself to get current again, but not with passengers on board.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying night flying, passenger-carrying requirements, and pilot currency rules.
Derivation
14 CFR means Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations -- the section of U.S. federal law dealing with aeronautics and space. Part 61 covers certification of pilots and instructors. Section 61.57 covers recent flight experience. The (b)(1) points to the specific paragraph on night recency. So the citation is just an address: Title 14, Part 61, Section 61.57, paragraph (b)(1).
Why Pilots Care
It is the legal standard that keeps pilots current for safe night operations with passengers.
Grounding Statement
For night passenger flights, the law requires recent hands-on night landing practice, not just a pilot certificate.
Intuition Check
Do not read this citation as a page number or a handbook paragraph. It points to a binding federal regulation that controls what a pilot may legally do.
Example Sentence 1
Before offering to fly his brother to the coast for a late dinner, the pilot checked his logbook and confirmed he met 14 CFR part 61 section 61.57(b)(1).
Example Sentence 2
During preflight planning the instructor asked whether the student met the requirements in 14 CFR part 61 section 61.57(b)(1) for the upcoming night lesson.