14 CFR § 135.293
Initial and recurrent pilot testing requirements
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What does 14 CFR § 135.293 require?
14 CFR 135.293 is the recurrent training rule for Part 135 (commuter and on-demand air carriers — air taxis, charters, helicopter EMS, regional commuters). Every pilot must complete recurrent testing every 12 calendar months: a written/oral knowledge test AND a competency check in the aircraft. Failure to complete on time = pilot is grounded until testing is completed. Carriers track this via training records and compliance management. Lapsed currency is one of the most-cited Part 135 violations during FAA inspections.
Regulation text (summary)
No certificate holder may use a pilot, and no pilot may serve, unless the pilot has passed a written or oral test on regulations and procedures, AND a competency check in the aircraft and class of equipment to be flown, within the preceding 12 calendar months. Recurrent testing includes pilot certificates, applicable regulations, navigation procedures, meteorology, communication procedures, emergency procedures, and aircraft systems for each aircraft type. For multi-engine aircraft and instrument operations, recurrent training under 14 CFR 135.297 may also apply.
Read full regulation at eCFR.govWho must comply with 14 CFR § 135.293?
All FAA Part 135 certificate holders (air taxi, on-demand, commuter operators) and pilots flying for them. Approximately 2,000+ Part 135 certificate holders in the US. Includes helicopter EMS, executive charter, regional commuters, on-demand cargo, agricultural operations subject to 135.
What happens if you violate 14 CFR § 135.293?
FAA civil penalties: $1,500-$25,000 typical for operator violations; higher for repeated or willful. Suspension or revocation of operator certificate possible for systematic violations. Pilot airman certificate suspension possible for repeated currency lapses. After-accident investigations always check training currency — a lapsed pilot in an accident creates significant civil and criminal exposure.
Penalty range
Annual citations
YoY penalty trend
How to comply (implementation checklist)
- 1Maintain pilot training records with date of last 135.293 testing.
- 2Schedule recurrent testing at least every 12 calendar months — typically 30-60 days before expiration.
- 3Conduct knowledge test covering FARs, navigation, meteorology, comm, emergencies, aircraft systems.
- 4Conduct competency check in the aircraft (or approved simulator for some aircraft types).
- 5Document successful completion with date, examiner, items covered.
- 6Track pilot currency dashboard fleet-wide.
- 7Ground pilots whose 135.293 currency lapses; resume only after completion.
- 8Combine with 14 CFR 135.297 instrument recurrent training where applicable.
- 9Audit training records during internal evaluations or before FAA SVE (Surveillance Visit and Evaluation).
Common misinterpretations
- Misinterpretation: '12 months means 365 days.' Reality: 14 CFR 135.293 specifies 12 CALENDAR MONTHS. A pilot tested on March 15, 2024 has until March 31, 2025 to complete the next test (end of the 12th calendar month from testing). This is the standard FAA timekeeping convention.
- Misinterpretation: 'Type rating renewal under 61.58 covers it.' Reality: 14 CFR 61.58 type-rating proficiency check is for the airman certificate. 14 CFR 135.293 is for OPERATOR-SPECIFIC currency. They are different requirements, though some checks can satisfy both simultaneously when properly documented.
- Misinterpretation: 'PIC and SIC testing is the same.' Reality: PIC testing under 135.293 is more comprehensive. SIC testing has different requirements depending on aircraft type and operation (some single-pilot certificated aircraft have different SIC qualification standards).
- Misinterpretation: 'Online recurrent training is enough.' Reality: 135.293 requires BOTH a knowledge test AND a competency check IN THE AIRCRAFT. Ground-based recurrent training (online or classroom) can satisfy portions of the knowledge requirement, but the in-aircraft competency check is mandatory.
Real enforcement examples
Anonymized from public FAA enforcement summaries. Penalty amounts reflect assessed and final settled values where disclosed.
Part 135 helicopter EMS operator received $42,000 FAA civil penalty in 2024 after a routine SVE found 3 pilots had 135.293 currency lapses ranging from 2 to 11 days. Pilots were grounded; corrective action plan required. Operator received increased FAA surveillance frequency.
Source: FAA Enforcement Decision Process summaries, anonymized
How FileFlo handles 14 CFR § 135.293
FileFlo's compliance rule-pack FAA-14CFR135.293 automatically checks every document you upload against this regulation. Auto-detects document type, parses key fields, sets renewal alerts, and surfaces this section in your audit binder if a gap is found.
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Frequently asked questions
What does 14 CFR 135.293 require?▾
Every Part 135 pilot must complete recurrent testing every 12 calendar months. Testing has two components: (1) a written or oral knowledge test covering FARs, navigation, weather, comm, emergencies, and aircraft systems, AND (2) a competency check in the aircraft (or approved simulator for some types).
What's the difference between 135.293 and 61.58?▾
14 CFR 61.58 is the proficiency check for airman certificates (type ratings). 14 CFR 135.293 is operator-specific currency for Part 135 operations. They're different requirements, though a single check can sometimes satisfy both when properly documented and authorized.
Can recurrent training be in a simulator?▾
For some aircraft types, yes — FAA-approved Level B/C/D simulators can satisfy the competency check requirement. For other types, the check must be in the aircraft itself. The specific aircraft and operator's training program determine which.
What happens if a pilot's 135.293 lapses?▾
The pilot is ineligible to act as PIC (or SIC where applicable) under Part 135 until recurrent testing is completed. Operating after lapse is a violation by both the pilot and the operator. Civil penalties typically apply.
Who can administer 135.293 testing?▾
FAA-approved company check airmen, FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors, or FAA Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) authorized for that operator and aircraft type. The operator's FAA-approved training program documents who is authorized.
Does 135.293 apply to Part 121 pilots?▾
No. Part 121 (air carriers) has separate recurrent training under 14 CFR 121.441 and Subpart N. Part 135 and Part 121 currency requirements are similar in concept but technically distinct regulations.
Related regulations
Sources + reviewer
Primary source: eCFR.gov: 14 CFR § 135.293
Reviewed by Chad Griffith (Founder + CEO, FileFlo) on