FI pre course requirements - cross country

[tmmorris]

For PPL holders wishing to become a FI there is a requirement for:

e) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made

Does this really mean VFR? So a flight parts of which were IFR OCAS due to poor weather doesn't count?

[BEagle]

It means what it says.

Otherwise some airliner magenta line minder might include 300nm and 2 landings of little more than watching the auto flight system...

[Gertrude the Wombat]

It means what it says.

Otherwise some airliner magenta line minder might include 300nm and 2 landings of little more than watching the auto flight system...
You can fly 300 miles watching the magenta line in VMC, and as long as you fly at VFR levels not IFR levels (if you care about such things) then you're VRF ...

[Pittsextra]

Given the focus on airspace infringement and the inevitable acceptable of GPS as a primary nav can someone explain the relevance of this? Seems out of step and why 300miles?

[memories of px]

i did mine in florida

[tmmorris]

But if I had a CPL I wouldn't need it!

[tmmorris]

Yes, but if I were an 'airliner magenta line minder' I'd presumably already have one.

I understand they are trying to replicate the CPL QXC, it's just that it seems a bit perverse to require it to be VFR. If I had a Cirrus with autopilot it would be a doddle. IFR in a 45-year-old PA28 with nothing more sophisticated than VOR/DME it's hard, and it's ironic that I might not meet the criteria despite having easily exceeded the mileage and landaway requirements during Project Propeller 2016. (Benson-Shoreham-Leeds East-Shoreham-Benson, with the first two landings off IAPs (Doncaster ILS in the first case), the second two VFR in highly marginal vis.)

I'll check the logbook - I did PP once before and I think it was all VFR (Benson-Bournemouth-Wickenby and back should cover the mileage!)

[S-Works]

You do it VFR because you teach your students to do it VFR. You have to be able to demonstrate you are capable of doing it yourself.........

[OpenCirrus619]

You can do it over 2 days - which might make it easier / more fun.

When I did mine (for CPL) I:

Flew Denham - Retford (for fuel)
Flew Retford - Cumbernauld
Stayed overnight with friends
Flew Cumbernauld to Denham (drop passenger)
Flew Denham - Sandown


OC619

[Dan Winterland]

Otherwise some airliner magenta line minder might include 300nm and 2 landings of little more than watching the auto flight system...

But considering the relevance of the requirement compared with the intended qualification, that may be of more use. Very few pilots will be using VFR navigation techniques in their professional career. You have to ask if it's relevant anymore, which of is the principle behind the MPL. For all it's faults, it has cut out some of the useless licencing requirements for those not intending to use them.

But if I had a CPL I wouldn't need it!

One would think so. However, when I was applying for my ATPL (converting from military qualifications while current on a heavy jet), the CAA decided I had to show that I had done the VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 300 NM in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes. Although I had lots of flights of over 300 NM and lots of three sector days, none fulfilled the two different aerodromes requirement. I had to trawl through my logbook to find a trip in a Chipmunk to France which covered it. But I was the Captain on a 4 engine heavy jet crossing the Atlantic a few days earlier!

[BEagle]

Hi Dan!

The original post to which I replied concerned FI prerequisites, not those for the CPL!

[Kemble Pitts]

300nm VFR x/c with two stops...

Crikey, its not that onerous is it?

Just get in your aeroplane and do it. Much easier than whingeing about a requirement that you are unlikely to get changed. Surely such a trip would be a pleasure anyway; or am I the only one who enjoys flying?

[alex90]

I am a bit confused by this thread...

What's so difficult to do a 300nm VFR flight in a single day? (let alone 2!) I mean, seriously? Average "soam-can" goes around 90 - 100kts, so that's a whole 3 hours 20minutes... + cup of tea / coffee & bacon bap + paying landing fees, that's 5 hours from start to finish! And a good day of fun! On top of which you can even bring your friends along for the ride!!