Definition
Repeated, periodic practice of previously learned flight maneuvers and procedures, performed at regular intervals after initial training, to maintain proficiency and prevent skill decay.
Plain English
Going back and practicing the same skills again at regular intervals so you don't get rusty and lose them.
Context Anchor
Seen in handbook chapter summaries, training plans, and instructor discussions when a pilot is reminded to keep important flying skills fresh over time.
Derivation
Recurrent' comes from the Latin 'recurrere,' meaning 'to run back' or 'return.' In training, it captures the idea of returning to the same skills again and again so they stay sharp.
Why Pilots Care
It prevents skill decay and satisfies regulatory or insurance requirements that allow a pilot to continue flying the aircraft legally.
Intuition Check
Do not read recurrent as meaning “extra because you failed.” Here it means repeated at intervals so a skill stays ready and usable.
Example Sentence 1
After earning her certificate, she scheduled recurrent practice with an instructor every six months to stay sharp on stalls and short-field landings.
Example Sentence 2
After recurrent practice in the simulator the crew demonstrated improved response times during an engine-out scenario.