solo cross country info

[aerofoil1]

hi all
ive just started the nav work for my ppl licence.
i was quite surprised when the instructor asked if i was ok doing a nav exercise!
it didnt take long to say yes no problem.
i havnt done my solo yet as the weather hasnt been very good on the days ive been flying but im wondering exactly what is expected when the time comes for the qualifying solo.

i believe its 150nm distance? and landings at other airfields.

if so what is involved
if any one would like to share there experiences id love to hear.
many thanks :ok:

[BackPacker]

What you will typically find is that the instructor will give you the navex fields and thereby a large portion of your route. They know which fields/routes are relatively easy for a novice pilot and, when strung together, make a route that fulfills the PPL requirements. Furthermore, you will have visited most, if not all, of the airfields before on dual cross countries.

Don't be surprised if you go out on a dual navex before going solo. The conditions have to be just right for a first solo and if they aren't but you still have a lesson scheduled, then why not start with a bit of nav already. Because of the duration of a typical lesson your first navex will probably be a flight to a point about 25 miles from home base and then straight back, to be followed by more complex flights later on.

[aerofoil1]

really looking forward to it all
have been stuck in the circuit for so long so it was nice to leave the airfield ATZ!

[AlphaMale]

Good luck - it's nice to get out of the circuit and see the country.

After doing my Solo circuits my instructor said the same "Now for the cross countries".

1st We did a short cross country of 30 miles to overhead a near town and back. Instructor did the radio work while I followed my track we calculated back at base.

2nd We flew a little further (50+ miles) to the closest airfield where I made my first attempt at an away landing having made a standard overhead join (make sure you know how to carry this out). I started to get involved in the radio work having gone through it with the instructor before pressing the button.

3rd We flew a little further (60+ miles) to a near airfield to a slightly busier airfield than above.

4th I flew the above route on my own :cool:

5th We flew further again (nearly 80 miles) via the Brecon beacons having to contact more stations and information services to a 'relaxed' (very welcoming to GA/Students) airfield.

6th I did the above on my own.

7th We flew further again (90+ miles) to a busier airfield, my instructor was on hand to give me advise but did very little to influence my decisions. Told me I flew very well on that leg and would show me how to get a position fix etc on the way back.

8th I did the above on my own.

9th - Qualifying cross country linking the 2 airfields above and giving me nearly 190 miles of solo XC :D

Good days and more relaxing than the intense circuits (they felt intense at the start of training).

Good luck :ok:

[aerofoil1]

cool
i was quite shocked at how accurate you can estimate turning points and the like within 15secs on one of my legs
its only early days but its going really well
backpacker i take it you have passed your ppl then?
cheers

[BackPacker]

Over four years ago, yes.

[AlphaMale]

i was quite shocked at how accurate you can estimate turning points and the like within 15secs on one of my legs

Shows you are planning your routes accurately and the winds are as it shows on the F214. :ok:

[Ryan5252]

and the winds are as it shows on the F214Even a broken clock is correct twice a day! :}