Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Flight Schools and Training
Student solo x-country, flight plan required? >

Student solo x-country, flight plan required?

Notices
Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

Student solo x-country, flight plan required?

Old 06-06-2012, 03:47 PM
  #1  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
PearlPilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: DHC-8 SIC
Posts: 634
Default Student solo x-country, flight plan required?

Are student pilots required to file and activate a flight plan on solo cross country flights? I've heard a lot of mixed opinions, but cannot find a definitive answer. While I was training, I was required by my instructor to get VFR flight following, but not file...
PearlPilot is offline  
Old 06-06-2012, 03:56 PM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
USMCFLYR's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,835
Default

Originally Posted by PearlPilot View Post
Are student pilots required to file and activate a flight plan on solo cross country flights? I've heard a lot of mixed opinions, but cannot find a definitive answer. While I was training, I was required by my instructor to get VFR flight following, but not file...
Flight following is not always guaranteed.
What would you have done if the controller denied your request on the basis of workload? Continued on your solo x/c?
I think a better question would be why NOT file a VFR x/c?
Go through the motions and learn about the system a little.
I certainly can't think of a safety reason why you shouldn't have a student solo file.

USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR is offline  
Old 06-06-2012, 04:25 PM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
PearlPilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: DHC-8 SIC
Posts: 634
Default

Thanks, yes I would feel very much safe about having students file a flight plan. I made the mistake of assuming it is not a requirement by the example of some other CFIs at the FBO...
PearlPilot is offline  
Old 06-06-2012, 04:47 PM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Position: N/A
Posts: 573
Default

It is not required by regs, but our flight school requires it in our Safety and Procedures Manual for 141 lessons.
Duckdude is offline  
Old 06-06-2012, 06:09 PM
  #5  
Moderator
 
Cubdriver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Default

Not required but a good thing to do. Make sure they close it though.
Cubdriver is offline  
Old 06-06-2012, 10:20 PM
  #6  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Gajre539's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: EMB-170 FO
Posts: 383
Default

As a flight instructor, you want to give all the possible training that you can give to your student. Filing a VFR flight plan is not required, but I made sure that all my students filed, opened and closed a flight plan on every solo x-c flight. I even had them put my cell phone number with "Flight Instructor" in the "Destination Contact/Telephone" section, so if they forgot to close their flight plan, I would get a phone call from the FSS.
Gajre539 is offline  
Old 06-07-2012, 03:07 AM
  #7  
Prime Minister/Moderator
 
rickair7777's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,100
Default

Not required by regs, but you as the CFI can require it as a condition of the solo endorsement.
rickair7777 is offline  
Old 06-07-2012, 04:10 AM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
PearlPilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: DHC-8 SIC
Posts: 634
Default

Thank you, sounds like a great idea. From now on it will be a requirement for me...
PearlPilot is offline  
Old 06-07-2012, 03:14 PM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
TheReelDeel33's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 125
Default

A lot of people think that of flight following as an adequate substitute for filing.

Realistically, if you have flight following the controller may not even notice that your blip on the radar has dissapeared if you go down. Even if he does, unless you manage to get out a very clear and informed mayday call, it will be unknown how much fuel you had on board, how many people were on board, what color your plane was, who to contact to establish that an incident has occured and everything else that goes into filing.

I'm a firm believer that both should be used. Taking the time to file one, and remembering to close one is annoying, but a good practice even though it is not required by the government. My school made it a requirement
TheReelDeel33 is offline  
Old 06-07-2012, 03:27 PM
  #10  
Prime Minister/Moderator
 
rickair7777's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,100
Default

While flight following is on a "capacity available" basis, the reality is that it is almost as good as IFR as far as controller oversight. I essentially always use it when flying GA. In a busy environment like SOCAL, it's almost foolish not to use FF.
rickair7777 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rickB
Part 135
29
10-26-2011 01:12 PM
SR22
Part 135
116
01-19-2010 09:39 PM
FR8Hauler
Cargo
80
08-22-2009 07:16 PM
N618FT
Regional
33
11-19-2007 07:28 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices