Originally Posted by
custardpsc
Secondly, Whopity, - sorry but the FAA interpretations on this are based on common sense not rigorous definition ! There is no definition of 'flight' in the FARs for this purpose as the OP correctly pointed out.
I think you will find 'cross country flight' is defined in the FARs as-
a voyage interrupted by periodic contacts with the ground, from which the aircraft can again fly following only moderate investment in maintenance or new pilot underwear, possibly allowing the pilot an opportunity to eat, fuel the aircraft, sleep (and or enjoy the hospitality of the natives). Such maintenance, sleeping and evening entertainment not to be of such excessive duration the DPE thinks the pilot may have forgotten why he set out on the flight