“Recency” and “recurrency” are two words that sometimes get used interchangeably, even by TC! (I’m lookin’ at you 921.04)
They are related, but let’s make a distinction.
Recency vs. Recurrency
Recency is the official language used in the Canadian Aviation Regulations. For RPAS pilots, it refers to the validity of your pilot certificate from a practical-use perspective.
In plain language – before you fly, you need to have completed an accepted recency exercise within the previous 24 months.
That does not mean you can only do recency training every 24 months. You can absolutely do it more often, and honestly, it is not a bad idea. A good practical habit is to set a calendar reminder when you complete your recency exercise, ideally for around 23 months later so you have a bit of leeway before it expires.
Future-you will thank past-you for this!
Recurrency, on the other hand, is often organization-specific and my spell-checker tells me it isn’t even really a word! Your company, client, insurer, or internal training program may have its own recurrent training requirements. These might include things like:
- Flight skill checks
- Internal written reviews
- A minimum number of hours flown
- A minimum number of batteries or flights completed within a certain period
- Operational scenario training
So, while recency is tied to the regulatory requirement, recurrency may be part of how your organization maintains pilot competency.
Both can be important but they come from different places.
What Counts as a Recency Exercise?
The recency requirements are written slightly differently depending on your pilot certificate, but the intent and activities are essentially the same. You need to demonstrate that you have kept your knowledge current.
Here are your main options.
Option 1: You Were Just Issued a Pilot Certificate
Great news. You’re good for 24 months from the date your certificate was issued.
No extra steps required right away.
Option 2: Write an Exam
Any RPAS pilot certification exam will count for recency, regardless of the level of certificate you currently hold.
For example, if you hold a Level 1 Complex certificate with a Flight Reviewer rating, you can regain recency by writing the Basic exam. That still counts! You are good for another 24 months.
This is one of the simpler ways to reset your recency period.
Option 3: Complete a Flight Review
This is also an option.
Is it the option most people choose specifically for recency? Probably not. But alas, it is there.
To complete a flight review, you would still need to meet the usual prerequisites, such as completing the required written exam or ground school where applicable. Once the flight review is successfully complete, even if you do not continue on to pursue that certification afterward, it still satisfies your recency requirement for another 24 months.
Option 4: Complete a Recurrent Training Activity from Standard 921
Standard 921 provides several training options that can satisfy the recency requirement. These include things like:
- Attending a Transport Canada safety seminar
- Attending a hosted recency seminar that covers the required topics
- Completing the Transport Canada self-paced recency exam
You can refer to the Standard 921 list in the image below for the specific accepted activities and topic areas.
What Do Most People Actually Do?
In practice, most pilots tend to use one of the following:
- Write the Basic exam
- Complete the Transport Canada self-paced recency exam
- Upgrade their certification
- Attend a qualifying recency seminar
I host a recency seminar at least every 24 months at the Aerial Evolution conference, which is a great way to cover the requirement while also getting a useful knowledge refresh in a more interactive format.
That said, I still usually do the Transport Canada self-paced exam too, because it is a good refresher even if the answers are on the same page. 🙃
Keep Your Proof
Whatever recency option you choose, keep proof that you completed it. This is a critical step! It might be an exam results page or a certificate of completion from a seminar.
Print it, save it as a PDF, or keep it in a dedicated electronic folder where you can actually find it again. Your pilot certificate date will not automatically update just because you completed a recency exercise, so your proof of completion is what shows you are current. The date on your certificate only updates when a new certificate issued, like if you upgrade from Basic to Advanced.
Final Thought
Recency does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be tracked.
Know what counts, know when you completed it, and give yourself enough lead time before the 24-month mark rolls around again.
Hope that provides some helpful clarity and saves future-you from a last-minute scramble.
