WarriorCaptain

Hello,

I am currently about half way through my private pilot training and was wondering how many dual cross-country flights I should have before going on my solo cross country. I understand the requirements about 3 hours and at least one flight over 100nm, but my instructor is trying to meet those in two days this weekend with lengthier flights (one over 200nm and another over 50). I was hoping for more multiple shorter flights to gain experience. What does anyone else think?

Thank you.

WarriorCaptain

Just one more thought- hopefully this is the right forum to post this question. I only just joined AirlinePilotForum after watching for years after I began my training. My current career plan is a professional pilot of airline, cargo or business. Thank you for any help.

JamesNoBrakes

200nm is a bit long, especially if you are not going to be flying that far on your solo cross country, but it is helpful to have the first one a little longer than 50 miles so you have time to get everything done and learn from it, rather than not be able to do any of the things you should do on an XC. I'd want to do around 3 before turning a student loose, and the most important part is experience flying into other airports. To that extent, extremely long stretches spent aloft doesn't really help if your navigation skills are decent, as you're going to have to figure out the pattern and land at the destination, and that's usually where most of the experience should be.

Trying to meet that all in one weekend is generally a bad idea as well. It's hard to actually take anything positive from an experience when you go right back out the next day and try to do it better. It needs a day or so to "sink in", and at this point, XC planning is likely a major effort for you.

SI ISMs

thats a nice post too

PearlPilot

Here is how I do it. 2 short dual cross countries and the 3 pointer also dual. Then I have the student do 3 separate cross countries. 2 short ones (50-60 n.m) and the 3 pointer just like we did it dual. The night cross country can be a bit longer and it is a good idea to get it out of the way prior to your solo cross countries. Good luck.

Duckdude

I think it is very important for the student to go on at least one solo cross country to a location they have never been before, instead of just repeating a flight previously done with the instructor.

I recently spoke with a new private pilot that learned to fly at ATP in Richmond, VA. He said all local flights were done to a nearby non-towered field, and all cross-countrys were to the same distant airport. I asked how he did his "long" x/c? You guessed it, he went to the local strip and then the distant field to get his 150 miles. He had only ever been to three airports. I don't think that is the best way to teach a student, although it is certainly a lot more comforting for the imstructor knowing the student has almost no chance of screwing up the x/c since he has already done it multiple times.

jonnyjetprop

While it's up to the instructor, you can certainly ask why he's doing it this way. I had various cross country flights canned with specific tasks in mind.

WarriorCaptain

Thank you all for your explanations and advice. I've decided to proceed with a home airport-destination-destination-home airport plan (about 180nm) and later fly more cross country flights depending on how comfortable I feel. It is definitely time consuming the first time around planning routes, identifying points along the routes, and I still have the weather and course to plan! But I'm sure the process will go faster and easier each time I plan one as I understand what to do. Thank you again

prwest

I did a three point 150nm dual, and was signed off for solo CC. My first solo CC was a 50nm trip to an airport I'd never been too. After that I did the long three point which was right at 160nm, and a 50 right before the check ride. Every CC was to an airport I'd never been too, and one was GSO in class C airspace. Its all about what you feel comfortable with, and what your CFI thinks of your progress.