EASA PPL Cross Country Requirements

[fireflybob]

EASA PPL requirements for Cross Country show:-

10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 5 hours of solo cross-country flight time with at least 1 cross-country flight of at least 270 km (150 NM), during which full stop landings at 2 aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure shall be made.

I am querying 270 km being shown as alternative to 150 NMs

The International NM is defined as 1852 metres. This makes 270 kms equal to 145.8 NM.

So is the minimum distance requirement 150 NM or 145.8 NM?

[Mach Jump]

I would say that, as the distance is given in km first, with the NM in brackets after, that means that the intended distance is the one in km!


MJ:ok:

[Dan Winterland]

But I would do the extra 4.2 miles just to be sure.

[Whopity]

It comes from ICAO Annex 12.3.3.1.2 The applicant shall have completed in aeroplanes
not less than 10 hours of solo flight time appropriate to
the class rating sought, under the supervision of an authorized
flight instructor, including 5 hours of solo cross-country flight
time with at least one cross-country flight totalling not less than
270 km (150 NM) in the course of which full-stop landings at
two different aerodromes shall be made. Prior to 1999 the UK was happy to accept around 130 nm:CAP53 -the qualifying cross-country flight during which the applicant made 2 intermediate stops one of which must have been at least 50 nautical miles from the aerodrome of departure. Cross-country routes which fall short of this requirement, but which contain one sector of not less that 50 nautical miles may be accepted. Prior approval to include such a route must be obtained from the Authority (FCL3). The assumption was probably that a triangle would include three 50 mile legs, few if any did!

[dobbin1]

Is there any real requirement to collect signatures on form SRG 2105 to prove that you actually visited the two aerodromes, or is this just CAA gold plating?

[Whopity]

There is no EASA requirement and there was no JAA requirement. Rumour has it that the gold plating may soon cease. If you go back to the original QXC it was flown after all training and testing had been completed and was final item that qualified a candidate for licence issue. That all changed 14 years ago!

[BEagle]

AOPA pointed out to the CAA at least a year ago that there was no EASA requirement for that 'Q X-C' certificate, as it has come to be termed.

But then they went through their GA-perestroika, so I've no idea whether the topic has been addressed further.

Whopity, in April 1968 I flew my Q X-C (Cranfield - (Henlow) - Cambridge - Ipswich - (Henlow) - Cranfield) before my PPL test, so no - it certainly wasn't always the last item flown before a candidate applied for a PPL.

[Shaft109]

Well since I wasn't entirely sure on mine I took lots of photos (on the ground and when safe in the air) to remember it by, and as well as keeping any invoices for landing fees I got my log book signed at the back.

I did this too for my CPL. Actually twice as I did 2 large routes to be sure and to enjoy myself in between CPL and MEP/IR. Flying into Duxford first time was pretty good.

[Whopity]

in April 1968 I flew my Q X-C (Cranfield - (Henlow) - Cambridge - Ipswich - (Henlow) - Cranfield) before my PPL test, so no - it certainly wasn't always the last item flown before a candidate applied for a PPL. 1968 was prior to the introduction of the NFT; (which came about as aresult of candidates getting lost on the QXC) it then became mandatory to have passed the NFT before attempting the QXC. I recall the uproar when the JAA placed the 150 nm XCTY prior to the Skill Test.

[India Four Two]

White Waltham - Sywell - Oxford - White Waltham.

Non-radio! That dates me.:sad:

I see from gcmapper.com that it was only 111 nm, with the longest leg 48 nm. I remember that one of the requirements was to land at an airfield not previously visited - Sywell in my case.