Final answer:
A pilot must have conducted three takeoffs and landings as the sole manipulator of the controls within 90 days, using an aircraft of the same category, class, and type to act as pilot in command of an airplane carrying passengers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The requirements for acting as pilot in command of an airplane carrying passengers are specific. According to federal aviation regulations, a pilot must have completed three takeoffs and three landings within the previous 90 days. Additionally, these maneuvers must be performed as the sole manipulator of the controls in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type, if a type rating is required.
For tailwheel airplanes, all three landings must be to a full stop. This regulation is designed to ensure that a pilot's skills remain current for the specific category of aircraft being flown with passengers. Safety protocols, such as these, contribute to the overall safety of air travel, similar to how checklists and prescribed flight paths maintain operational safety and efficiency.