Definition
The set of recent flight experience standards a pilot must meet to legally act as pilot in command under instrument flight rules (IFR) or in weather conditions less than visual flight rules minimums. Under 14 CFR 61.57(c), within the preceding six calendar months a pilot must have performed and logged, in the appropriate category of aircraft (or an approved flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device), at least six instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigational electronic systems. A pilot who does not meet these requirements within six months has another six calendar months to regain currency through the same tasks; after that, an instrument proficiency check (IPC) given by an authorized evaluator is required.
Plain English
These are the recent practice tasks a pilot must complete on a regular schedule to stay legally allowed to fly in clouds or low-visibility weather. If the pilot doesn't keep up with the practice, they lose the privilege until they catch up or take a check ride with an instructor.
Context Anchor
Seen when reviewing a pilot’s logbook, planning an instrument flight, giving instrument training, or deciding whether an instrument proficiency check is required.
Derivation
"Currency" comes from the Latin currere, meaning "to run" — the same root as "current" (flowing, up to date). In aviation it carries the sense of being recently active, not stale. A pilot who is current has kept their skills running.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot who does not meet these requirements cannot legally fly IFR until completing an instrument proficiency check or additional instrument flight experience.
Intuition Check
Do not read “currency” as payment or as general confidence. Here it means meeting specific recent-experience rules that keep a pilot legally current for instrument flying.
Example Sentence 1
Before accepting the IFR flight to Seattle, she checked her logbook to confirm her instrument currency requirements were still met.
Example Sentence 2
Because the six-month instrument currency requirements had lapsed, an instrument proficiency check was scheduled with an instructor.