Commercial XC...
 

For the commercial cross-countries under part 61 it says "VFR Conditions"

I was under an IFR flight plan but at no time was I below VFR conditions, could I count the cross countries then? I have a few like these and If I can count it then I'll save all of the night + XC requirements.

It says VFR conditions, not VMC conditions. You were operating under a different set of flight rules, IFR.

Although its very important to understand the difference between rules and flight conditions, theres not really any way for the DPE to know if they flight was conducted IFR or VFR unless you put "IFR x-country" in the comments of your logbook.

agreed- when I did my training I had to file an IFR flight plan for some XCs. I believe it alright since you will also need a specific amount of Instrument time if you havent meet it yet. Plus flying IFR on a sunny day is cake. :)

That reg was written a long time ago. VMC is an ICAO term that is gradually coming into common usage here. VFR conditions, in my understanding, is weather conditions that would permit flight under Visual Flight Rules, without regard to the type of flight plan you have filed.

Joe

Whatever you do... when you show up to your checkride, make sure that you have at least 2.0 dual X/C logged both day and night with no instrument time (simulated or actual). In our 141 syllabus, it's ok to have instrument training on the X/C, but it must occur over and above the required 2.0 of visual flight.

Safest thing on those XCs is no logged instrument time at all. It would be almost impossible for anyone to know what type of flight plan you were on.

But I think the point of the exercise is to use all nav techniques, not just VOR/GPS.

No instrument time was logged. My CFI knows these flights were under an IFR flight plan.

However, it say's VFR conditions...it would save me ~$600, that's a lot for a college student :)

While there is no definition of "VFR Conditions" in Part 1, there is a definition of "IFR Conditions." IFR Conditions are defined as weather conditions below the minimum for flight under VFR. Now my cockpit law degree (which with an extra 4 bucks will get me through Starbucks) would say that therefore (1)VFR Conditions would be flight conditions above the minimum for VFR flight and (2) no where does it talk about the rules the flight was operated under.

And generally generates some sarcasm from the FSS briefer. "Its 10 and clear, why on earth are you filing IFR?!?!" He was joking but we were required to file IFR.