Definition
A specific subsection of the Federal Aviation Regulations that establishes night recent flight experience requirements for pilots carrying passengers. It states that to act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, a pilot must have, within the preceding 90 days, made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during that same 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.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying night flying requirements, especially before acting as pilot in command with passengers at night.
Derivation
The citation breaks down as follows: '14 CFR' means Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (the Aviation title); 'part 61' is the section governing certification of pilots; 'section 61.57' covers recent flight experience; '(b)' is the night experience subsection; and '(2)' is the specific paragraph defining the takeoff and landing requirement.
Why Pilots Care
Failing to meet this requirement means a pilot cannot legally carry passengers at night until the currency is regained.
Analogy
A regulation citation is like a street address. Instead of saying “the house near the corner,” it gives the exact legal location so every pilot, instructor, and examiner can find the same rule.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” or “section” as airplane pieces here. In this term, they mean locations inside the federal aviation rules. Also, paragraph (b)(2) does not replace the night passenger rule; it points to a specific way part of that requirement may be satisfied when the FAA conditions are met.
Example Sentence 1
Before her evening flight with friends, she checked her logbook to confirm she still met 14 CFR part 61 section 61.57(b)(2).
Example Sentence 2
The instructor reminded the student that 14 CFR part 61 section 61.57(b)(2) applies only when passengers are aboard, not for solo night flights.