{"id":985,"date":"2023-08-25T01:35:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T01:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/?p=985"},"modified":"2023-09-01T03:11:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T03:11:31","slug":"what-is-cross-country-flight-in-flight-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/what-is-cross-country-flight-in-flight-training\/","title":{"rendered":"What is cross-country flight in flight training"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"985\" class=\"elementor elementor-985\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7e94cfa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7e94cfa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c0c9671\" data-id=\"c0c9671\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3819941 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3819941\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.20.0 - 20-03-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">If you are learning to fly, you might have heard the term \u201ccross-country flight\u201d 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.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">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. <\/strong><\/b>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.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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&#8217;s also a requirement for earning <a title=\"Understanding Commercial Pilot Licensing in Canada\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/understanding-commercial-pilot-licensing-in-canada\/\">certain pilot licenses and ratings<\/a>.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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&#8217;s training, and why it is considered a significant stepping stone in the path to becoming a proficient aviator.<\/p><h2 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-2xl leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Why do cross-country flights matter in flight training?<\/h2><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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, <a title=\"Secret language pilots use: Understanding words pilots use\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/secret-language-pilots-use-understanding-words-pilots-use\/\">communicate with air traffic control<\/a>, deal with weather changes, land at unfamiliar airports, and handle emergencies.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">During these flights, students learn how to plan for the flight, interpret weather conditions, navigate using aeronautical charts, and <a title=\"What Are Phonetic Alphabets? Why Do Pilots Use Them?\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/what-are-phonetic-alphabets-why-do-pilots-use-them\/\">communicate with air traffic control<\/a>. Notably, these experiences can be challenging but they significantly contribute to a trainee&#8217;s confidence and competence in handling real-world flying situations.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h2 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-2xl leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">What are the cross-country requirements for commercial pilot licence in various countries?<\/h2><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Cross-country requirements for CPL in United States<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Cross-country requirements for CPL in European Countries as per EASA<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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<a title=\"Overview and Differences between VFR and IFR in aviation\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/overview-and-differences-between-vfr-and-ifr-in-aviation\/\"> VFR<\/a> cross-country flight time, with at least one cross-country flight totaling 540km (300 NM).<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Cross-country requirements for CPL in Australia<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Cross-country requirements for CPL in Canada<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Moving on to Canada, <a href=\"https:\/\/tc.canada.ca\/en\/corporate-services\/acts-regulations\/list-regulations\/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433\/standards\/standard-421-flight-crew-permits-licences-ratings-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars#421_30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Transport Canada mandates commercial pilots<\/a> 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.<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Cross-country requirements for CPL in South Africa<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Cross-country requirements for CPL in India<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">In India, the <a title=\"Overview of Licences One Can Get From Flight Training In India\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/overview-of-licences-one-can-get-from-flight-training-in-india\/\">Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) prescribes that commercial pilots<\/a> 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.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h2 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-2xl leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">How do you plan a cross-country flight?<\/h2><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Planning a cross-country flight involves several steps that you should do before you take off. These include:<\/p><ul class=\"pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]\"><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"1\">Choosing your destination and alternate airports<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"2\">Checking the weather conditions and forecasts<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"3\">Calculating your fuel requirements and endurance<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"4\">Selecting your route and checkpoints<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"5\">Obtaining the necessary charts and publications<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"6\">Filing a <a title=\"What is a Flight Plan and its importance in aviation?\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/what-is-a-flight-plan-and-its-importance-in-aviation\/\">flight plan<\/a> (optional but recommended)<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"7\">Preparing a navigation log<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"8\">Briefing yourself on the departure, en route, and arrival procedures<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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 \u201cgold standard\u201d and your instructor will expect you to demonstrate this skill.<\/p><h2 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-2xl leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">What are the safety measures during a cross-country flight?<\/h2><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">When planning for a cross-country flight, safety should be your topmost priority. Here are some safety measures to consider:<\/p><ul class=\"pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]\"><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"1\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Review all relevant documents:<\/strong><\/b> Before the flight, review the aircraft&#8217;s logbooks, maintenance records, and the pilot&#8217;s operating handbook to ensure everything is in order.<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"2\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Check the aircraft:<\/strong><\/b> Conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection of your aircraft. Check for any mechanical issues that could pose a danger during the flight.<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"3\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Know your aircraft&#8217;s capabilities:<\/strong><\/b> Understand your aircraft&#8217;s performance characteristics, including its climb rate, cruising speed, fuel consumption, and weight and balance limits.<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"4\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Emergency procedures:<\/strong><\/b> Familiarize yourself with the emergency procedures for your aircraft and know what to do if something goes wrong.<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"5\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Be weather-wise:<\/strong><\/b> Always check the weather forecast for your flight path, not just at your departure and arrival points but also en route.<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"6\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airway Charts:<\/strong><\/b> Always keep an updated airway chart and stay in constant communication with the ATC.<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"7\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Fly within your limits:<\/strong><\/b> Don&#8217;t push yourself or your aircraft beyond your capabilities. When in doubt, don&#8217;t fly.<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Regardless of your flight experience, it&#8217;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.<\/p><h2 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-2xl leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">How do you execute a cross-country flight?<\/h2><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Executing a cross-country flight requires you to apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned during your flight training. These include:<\/p><ul class=\"pt-[9px] pb-[2px] pl-[24px] list-disc [&amp;_ul]:pt-[5px] pt-[5px]\"><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"1\">Performing a thorough preflight inspection of your aircraft<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"2\">Reviewing your flight plan and making any necessary adjustments<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"3\">Taking off and following your departure procedure<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"4\">Navigating using pilotage, dead reckoning, radio aids, or GPS<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"5\">Maintaining situational awareness and lookout for traffic<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"6\">Communicating with air traffic control or other pilots as required<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"7\">Monitoring your fuel consumption and time<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"8\">Adapting to changing weather conditions or unexpected situations<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"9\">Following your arrival procedure and landing at your destination<\/li><li class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] my-[5px] [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ol]:!pb-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pt-0 [&amp;&gt;ul]:!pb-0\" value=\"10\">Securing your aircraft and completing your postflight tasks<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p><h2 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-2xl leading-[36px] pt-[21px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Some other frequently asked questions about cross-country flying in flight training:<\/h2><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">Can cross-country flights be done with Visual Flight Rules (VFR)?<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">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.<\/strong><\/b> These rules rely on visual references and a clear line of sight to navigate, so the weather conditions play a crucial role.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">On VFR cross-country flights, pilots must remain vigilant and maintain continuous visual scan to avoid collisions with other aircraft. It&#8217;s important to underscore, however, that while <a title=\"Overview and Differences between VFR and IFR in aviation\" href=\"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/overview-and-differences-between-vfr-and-ifr-in-aviation\/\">VFR flights are typically less complex than Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights<\/a>, they still require careful planning and preparation.<\/p><h3 class=\"font-semibold text-gray-800 text-xl leading-[30px] pt-[15px] pb-[2px] [&amp;_a]:underline-offset-[6px] [&amp;_.underline]:underline-offset-[6px]\" dir=\"ltr\">How long is a cross-country flight for private pilots in different countries?<\/h3><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">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. <\/strong><\/b>The length of these flights can vary, but they typically last a few hours.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">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. <\/strong><\/b>The duration of these flights depends on the aircraft&#8217;s speed and the weather conditions, but they generally last for several hours.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">Australia&#8217;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. <\/strong><\/b>These flights usually take a few hours to complete.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"font-semibold\">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.<\/strong><\/b> Depending on the aircraft and weather conditions, these flights can also last several hours.<\/p><p class=\"text-base font-normal text-gray-800 leading-[24px] pt-[9px] pb-[2px]\" dir=\"ltr\">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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/985"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=985"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/985\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1134,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/985\/revisions\/1134"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilotsjetway.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}