If you are learning to fly, you might have heard the term “cross-country flight” and wondered what it means. A cross-country flight is not necessarily a flight that crosses the borders of a country, although it can be. Rather, it is a flight that meets certain criteria defined by the aviation authorities, such as the FAA in the United States or Transport Canada in Canada.
In the context of flight training, a cross-country flight is one that covers a significant distance and requires the pilot to use navigational skills. Specifically, the FAA defines a cross-country flight as one that includes a point of landing that is more than 50 nautical miles straight-line distance from the original point of departure. This definition can vary in other countries.
The main objective of these flights is to equip the trainee with navigation and planning skills that are crucial when flying over long distances. It’s also a requirement for earning certain pilot licenses and ratings.
Cross-country flights are a pivotal part of flight training, offering student pilots a rich tapestry of experiences and challenges that go beyond the confines of local flights. In this blog post, we delve into a journey that explores what constitutes a cross-country flight, its role in a pilot’s training, and why it is considered a significant stepping stone in the path to becoming a proficient aviator.
Why do cross-country flights matter in flight training?
Cross-country flights are an important part of flight training because they allow you to expand your horizons and experience different aspects of flying that you might not encounter at your home airport. For example, you will learn how to plan your route, navigate using various methods, communicate with air traffic control, deal with weather changes, land at unfamiliar airports, and handle emergencies.
During these flights, students learn how to plan for the flight, interpret weather conditions, navigate using aeronautical charts, and communicate with air traffic control. Notably, these experiences can be challenging but they significantly contribute to a trainee’s confidence and competence in handling real-world flying situations.
Depending on the type of pilot certificate or rating you are pursuing, you will need to complete a certain number of cross-country flights, both with an instructor and solo.
What are the cross-country requirements for commercial pilot licence in various countries?
Each country has its own cross-country flight requirements for pilots to become eligible to become a commercial pilot. Following are some of the requirements from different countries.
Cross-country requirements for CPL in United States
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stipulates that commercial pilots must accrue at least 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 of which should be in airplanes. Furthermore, pilots must also have 20 hours of flight training that includes one cross-country flight of at least 2 hours with a straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the departure point.
Cross-country requirements for CPL in European Countries as per EASA
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requires commercial pilots to have completed 200 hours of flight time, with 100 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC). This includes 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight time, with at least one cross-country flight totaling 540km (300 NM).
Cross-country requirements for CPL in Australia
In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) demands that commercial pilots hold a Private Pilot License (PPL), have completed 200 hours of flight time, and satisfied the specific navigation experience requirements stipulated in the CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards.
Cross-country requirements for CPL in Canada
Moving on to Canada, Transport Canada mandates commercial pilots to have at least 200 hours of flight time. This includes a cross-country flight time of 20 hours, involving a VFR cross-country flight to a point of at least 150 nautical miles radius from the place of departure and including two full-stop landings at points other than that of departure.
Cross-country requirements for CPL in South Africa
In South Africa, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) requires commercial pilots to complete at least 200 hours flight time, with a cross-country flight of no less than 300 nautical miles that includes two intermediate stops at different aerodromes.
Cross-country requirements for CPL in India
In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) prescribes that commercial pilots should have 200 hours flight time. Included in these hours, there should be a cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles during which full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure should be performed.
Each aviation authority has slightly different requirements, but the key element in each is that pilots must demonstrate proficient navigational skills and experience completing cross-country flights.
How do you plan a cross-country flight?
Planning a cross-country flight involves several steps that you should do before you take off. These include:
- Choosing your destination and alternate airports
- Checking the weather conditions and forecasts
- Calculating your fuel requirements and endurance
- Selecting your route and checkpoints
- Obtaining the necessary charts and publications
- Filing a flight plan (optional but recommended)
- Preparing a navigation log
- Briefing yourself on the departure, en route, and arrival procedures
You can use various tools and resources to help you plan your cross-country flight, such as online flight planners, electronic flight bags, aviation apps, or good old-fashioned paper maps and charts. However, you should also learn how to plan your flight manually, as this is considered the “gold standard” and your instructor will expect you to demonstrate this skill.
What are the safety measures during a cross-country flight?
When planning for a cross-country flight, safety should be your topmost priority. Here are some safety measures to consider:
- Review all relevant documents: Before the flight, review the aircraft’s logbooks, maintenance records, and the pilot’s operating handbook to ensure everything is in order.
- Check the aircraft: Conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection of your aircraft. Check for any mechanical issues that could pose a danger during the flight.
- Know your aircraft’s capabilities: Understand your aircraft’s performance characteristics, including its climb rate, cruising speed, fuel consumption, and weight and balance limits.
- Emergency procedures: Familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures for your aircraft and know what to do if something goes wrong.
- Be weather-wise: Always check the weather forecast for your flight path, not just at your departure and arrival points but also en route.
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airway Charts: Always keep an updated airway chart and stay in constant communication with the ATC.
- Fly within your limits: Don’t push yourself or your aircraft beyond your capabilities. When in doubt, don’t fly.
Regardless of your flight experience, it’s always a good idea to consult with your instructor or another experienced pilot when planning a long cross-country flight. Remember, safety always comes first.
How do you execute a cross-country flight?
Executing a cross-country flight requires you to apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned during your flight training. These include:
- Performing a thorough preflight inspection of your aircraft
- Reviewing your flight plan and making any necessary adjustments
- Taking off and following your departure procedure
- Navigating using pilotage, dead reckoning, radio aids, or GPS
- Maintaining situational awareness and lookout for traffic
- Communicating with air traffic control or other pilots as required
- Monitoring your fuel consumption and time
- Adapting to changing weather conditions or unexpected situations
- Following your arrival procedure and landing at your destination
- Securing your aircraft and completing your postflight tasks
During your cross-country flight, you should always follow the basic principles of safe flying: aviate, navigate, communicate, and manage. You should also use good aeronautical decision making and risk management techniques to ensure that you fly within your personal and aircraft limitations.
Some other frequently asked questions about cross-country flying in flight training:
Can cross-country flights be done with Visual Flight Rules (VFR)?
Yes, cross-country flights can indeed be executed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). In fact, many student pilots will make their first cross-country flights using VFR. These rules rely on visual references and a clear line of sight to navigate, so the weather conditions play a crucial role.
On VFR cross-country flights, pilots must remain vigilant and maintain continuous visual scan to avoid collisions with other aircraft. It’s important to underscore, however, that while VFR flights are typically less complex than Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights, they still require careful planning and preparation.
How long is a cross-country flight for private pilots in different countries?
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a cross-country flight for private pilots as one that includes a point of landing that is more than 50 nautical miles straight-line distance from the original point of departure. The length of these flights can vary, but they typically last a few hours.
In the United Kingdom, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) classifies a cross-country flight as one where the flight distance is at least 150 nautical miles, with full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure. The duration of these flights depends on the aircraft’s speed and the weather conditions, but they generally last for several hours.
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has a similar definition to the UK. For private pilots, a cross-country flight is one that includes a leg of at least 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure. These flights usually take a few hours to complete.
In Canada, Transport Canada defines a cross-country flight as any flight conducted by reference to visual landmarks, a distance greater than 25 nautical miles from the aerodrome of departure. Depending on the aircraft and weather conditions, these flights can also last several hours.
It should be noted that these distances and times are only guidelines; the specifics of each flight will depend on many factors, including the speed of the aircraft, the route chosen, and the prevailing weather conditions.