Renew private pilot license

To renew a Private Pilot License (PPL) in the United States, you typically don't have to "renew" the license itself, as it doesn't expire. However, there are certain requirements to maintain your currency and legally act as pilot-in-command (PIC). The primary requirement for keeping your PPL active is completing a biennial flight review (BFR) every 24 months.

Maintaining Your Private Pilot License:

Biennial Flight Review (BFR):
- Every 24 months, you must complete a biennial flight review with a certified flight instructor (CFI). This is a requirement under 14 CFR Part 61.56.
- The BFR involves:
  - 1 hour of ground instruction: Reviewing regulations, procedures, flight planning, and other important subjects.
  - 1 hour of flight instruction: The CFI will assess your skills and help refresh any areas where you may be lacking.
- During the review, your instructor will ensure that you're proficient in the skills required to safely operate an aircraft.
If You Don’t Complete the BFR:
- If you don’t complete a BFR within the 24-month window, you are no longer current and cannot legally act as PIC.
- If you miss the deadline, you can still complete a flight review after the 24 months, but you’ll be considered "not current" until it is completed.
Recurrent Training:
- While the BFR is the main requirement, if you haven't been flying for a while, you may need more extensive training to become proficient again. This may include practicing specific maneuvers, cross-country flights, or instrument flying if necessary.

Other Considerations:

Recent Flight Experience Requirements (3 Takeoffs and Landings):
- If you haven't flown in the last 90 days and want to act as PIC, you must have completed at least 3 takeoffs and landings in an aircraft of the same category (e.g., airplane, helicopter) and class (e.g., single-engine land).
- If you plan to carry passengers at night, those 3 takeoffs and landings must also be done at night.
Medical Certificate:
- Although your medical certificate doesn't expire with the PPL, you still need to keep it current. You must pass a medical exam at least every 5 years for a third-class medical certificate if you're under 50, or every 2 years if you're 50 or older. If you let it expire, you may be unable to fly legally.

What If You Let Your Currency Lapse?

If you have exceeded the 24-month window for your flight review and haven’t completed it, or if you’re not current for any other reason (like not meeting the takeoff and landing requirements), you can still regain your currency by:

Completing the biennial flight review with an instructor.
If it's been a longer period without flying, your CFI may require additional training or a checkride (practical test) to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements.

Summary of How to Maintain Your Private Pilot License:

Complete a biennial flight review (BFR) every 24 months, consisting of 1 hour of ground and 1 hour of flight instruction.
Ensure recent flight experience (3 takeoffs and landings within the last 90 days if carrying passengers).
Maintain your medical certificate by undergoing regular medical exams.
If you miss your BFR or recent flight experience requirements, you can regain currency by completing additional training with a flight instructor.