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Current ≠ Proficient

P1AR Team · September 25, 2026

Every year, our instructors hear some version of the same line during a check ride: "We're good—we did our annual, we're current till next year." Technically, true. Operationally, that's where things get risky.

The Distinction

FAA guidance (AC 133-1B) sets a recommended floor: pilots and crewmembers should complete recurrent Class B/D HEC training annually to stay current. Current means you're legally qualified to fly the mission. Proficient means you're actually good at it. An agency can technically have a fully current crew that hasn't touched a real HEC evolution in eleven months. Especially for high-risk/low-frequency incidents, proficiency is critical to ensure safe and effective operations when the mission calls.

Example Recommended Quarterly Training Events (SAR Hoist Program):

• Two live RS insertion/extractions

• Two AVED or PEP bag extractions with trail line

• A hoist changeover review, if running dual systems

• Review hoist EPs

Note: one of each to be completed at night as conditions permit. We also recommend agencies have sufficient SOP/SOG's in place to ensure standardization of the entire HEC program, to include specific proficiency requirements for initial and recurrent training. Agencies should also establish their own internal standardization/evaluation team to assess for individual and unit proficiency.

Current keeps you legal. Proficient keeps your crew ready to go when the mission calls. If you want to close that gap, P1AR can help with targeted training, a full program audit, or both. Let's talk.