what does 'cross country' actually mean?
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: uk
what does 'cross country' actually mean?
Hi everyone, i am off to Canada in a couple of days to do some hours building prior to CPL training later next year....I'll give some feedback on prices, facilities etc on my return.
Can someone explain what actually constitutes ''cross country'' hours? I just want to make sure im not missing something that will render my hours as being ''invalid'' for some reason. The last thing i want to do is go to Canada, spend lots of money flying around and then when i return, i find out that i dont meet the ''20 hours cross country'' requirement for CPL issue, or some other CAA requirement regarding hours building
Thanks
Can someone explain what actually constitutes ''cross country'' hours? I just want to make sure im not missing something that will render my hours as being ''invalid'' for some reason. The last thing i want to do is go to Canada, spend lots of money flying around and then when i return, i find out that i dont meet the ''20 hours cross country'' requirement for CPL issue, or some other CAA requirement regarding hours building
Thanks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 1
From: AEP
X-Country
Cross country is any flight that starts at one airfield and end at another one.
However, for PPL or CPL requirements, a minimum "distance" is specified, i.e. by FAA or CAA.
That distance varies. For FAA (as written above) it is 50 NM.
After receiving a CPL, logging "cross country" is irrelevant.
All that might be needed thereafter is "PIC" or "SIC" time, and time on "type".
That is all I logged for most of my career.
You will never see a "how much cross country time" to apply for a job as 737 F/O with airlines.
xxx
Just a note... these USAF pilots flying, say a B-52 from their US base to worldwide location, in-flight refueling, then returning to their base without landing anywhere, are credited by the FAA for "cross country time" if/when they apply for a CPL issued on the base of their military experience. Same for US Navy pilots on missions from their aircraft carrier.
However, for PPL or CPL requirements, a minimum "distance" is specified, i.e. by FAA or CAA.
That distance varies. For FAA (as written above) it is 50 NM.
After receiving a CPL, logging "cross country" is irrelevant.
All that might be needed thereafter is "PIC" or "SIC" time, and time on "type".
That is all I logged for most of my career.
You will never see a "how much cross country time" to apply for a job as 737 F/O with airlines.
xxx
Just a note... these USAF pilots flying, say a B-52 from their US base to worldwide location, in-flight refueling, then returning to their base without landing anywhere, are credited by the FAA for "cross country time" if/when they apply for a CPL issued on the base of their military experience. Same for US Navy pilots on missions from their aircraft carrier.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: uk
Thanks for the replys 
im planning on building around 30hours.
The term 'cross country flying' suggests more like 300nm legs with perhaps a land away. So i wanted to run things past people on here as i have mis-read the LASORS requirements in the past.
Based on the 3nm (or even 50nm) requirement i wont have a problem.
Just one other point, since i am flying outside the UK, is there a requirement to have the hours 'validated' in someway? I was planning on getting the flight school to simply stamp my log-book.
Cheers
im planning on building around 30hours.The term 'cross country flying' suggests more like 300nm legs with perhaps a land away. So i wanted to run things past people on here as i have mis-read the LASORS requirements in the past.
Based on the 3nm (or even 50nm) requirement i wont have a problem.
Just one other point, since i am flying outside the UK, is there a requirement to have the hours 'validated' in someway? I was planning on getting the flight school to simply stamp my log-book.
Cheers
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 1
you don't need to per say.
But it is considered a sensible course of action to get your hours signed off at every stage of your training, hour building and line flying until ATPL issue.
Its also wise while your still low hours to keep a backup until then as well eg electronic and paper. After ATPL the CAA doesn't really seem to care unless you crash but up to then they can be a bit difficult if you should loose your log book.
But it is considered a sensible course of action to get your hours signed off at every stage of your training, hour building and line flying until ATPL issue.
Its also wise while your still low hours to keep a backup until then as well eg electronic and paper. After ATPL the CAA doesn't really seem to care unless you crash but up to then they can be a bit difficult if you should loose your log book.
