EASA X-country time. Can the point of departure and arrival be the same?

[Bearcat F8F]

The UK CAA define x-country time as:

"A cross-country flight is defined as a flight from a point of departure to arrival following a pre-planned route using standard navigation techniques".

Does this mean that point of arrival and departure can be the same airfield? The above seems pretty vague to me. I have sent the CAA an email about this but they take over a month to reply, annoyingly.

Thanks

[Curtis E Carr]

The UK CAA define x-country time as:

More prosaically, it is how the European Commission defines it.

Looking at the requirements for obtaining, say, a LAPL(A), Part-FCL describes the solo requirements as follows:

FCL.110.A LAPL(A) — Experience requirements and crediting

(a) Applicants for an LAPL(A) shall have completed at least 30 hours of flight instruction on aeroplanes or TMGs, including at least:

(1) [...]

(2) 6 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least 3 hours of solo cross-country flight time with at least 1 cross-country flight of at least 150 km (80 NM), during which 1 full stop landing at an aerodrome different from the aerodrome of departure shall be made.

(b) [...]

As sub-para (2) only specifies one cross country flight to land an aerodrome different to that of departure, it is my opinion that unless otherwise stated, cross-country flights can start and end at the same aerodrome.

[Bearcat F8F]

I am of exactly the same opinion as you are. I just wanted to double check before I start the IR since you need 50 hours x-country PIC time.

I'll see what the CAA reply to me as well, if they ever get round to it

[PURPLE PITOT]

It was always the way, pre JAR, JAR, and now EASA. We always told students to make a note of turning points in the remarks section of the log book to make it easier for the goblins in the Belgrano.