S+L,
Agreed, The flight to the first point of landing could overfly the second point of landing, thus making it a straight ther and back crosscountry.
That scenario would require the first point of landing to be 150nm away and makes a diversion to a differnt airfield a higher probability. Although provided the pilot is willing to have an alternate 150nm from the destination, backtracking to the point of departure should be relatively easy.
Most schools I have come across use a triangular route because not only does it provide the best training to the student but it keeps the aircraft within a relatively small geographical area where for most aircraft, the start point is always available as an alternate.
SAS,
Agree totally that both the forecast and actual weather must be suitable. However, as I stated I would prefer not to comment on this case without the full facts from the day in question.
Question;
Where I come from policy is that the qualifying crosscountry required for licence application is completed dual and then completed solo at a later date. Is this not policy in the UK?
I ask because many students ask various questions about proposed qulaifying crosscountries which should have been answered by the instructor and seen in practice on the first trip.
Regards,
DFC