Cross country flight EASA

In the context of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), a cross-country flight refers to a flight that meets specific distance requirements for flight training and certification. The EASA regulations for cross-country flights are similar to those of the FAA but have particular requirements depending on the type of license and the specific flight operation.

EASA Cross-Country Flight Requirements

Here’s a breakdown of EASA’s cross-country flight requirements for flight training and licensing:

1. Definition of a Cross-Country Flight (EASA):

A cross-country flight under EASA is typically defined as a flight that involves navigation between two or more aerodromes (airports), covering a distance of at least 50 nautical miles (NM) from the point of departure.

EASA Part FCL (Flight Crew Licensing) outlines cross-country flight requirements for different types of pilot licenses.
For student pilots: Cross-country flights are part of training and are a key requirement for obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and higher ratings.

2. Cross-Country Flight for PPL (Private Pilot License):

For the PPL (Private Pilot License), EASA requires that the applicant complete a cross-country flight as part of the flight training.

Requirements for PPL Cross-Country Flight:

The flight must be at least 150 nautical miles from the departure point.
The flight must include at least two landings at different airports other than the departure airport.
It should be conducted as part of the minimum required 45 hours of flight time, which includes both dual (instructor) training and solo flight time.

PPL Cross-Country Flight Example:
- Depart from your home airport (e.g., London Heathrow).
- Fly to a destination that is 150 NM or more away (e.g., Birmingham International).
- Make a landing at Birmingham, and then possibly another landing at a nearby airport.
- Return to your home airport.

3. Cross-Country Flight for CPL (Commercial Pilot License):

For a CPL (Commercial Pilot License), the cross-country flight requirements are more extensive.

Requirements for CPL Cross-Country Flight:

The cross-country flight must be at least 300 nautical miles from the departure point.
The flight must include at least two landings at different airports.
This cross-country flight is part of the total flight hours required for the CPL, which includes minimum flight time of 200 hours (or more depending on the specific requirements of the training program).

4. Cross-Country Flight for ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License):

For an ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License), the cross-country experience is more extensive, and the hours required are significantly higher.

Requirements for ATPL Cross-Country Flight:

The flight must be at least 300 nautical miles away from the departure point.
As with CPL, there must be multiple landings at different airports.
Cross-country flights are part of the 1,500 hours of flight experience required for the ATPL, including PIC (Pilot in Command) hours.

5. Cross-Country Flight for Other Ratings (IR, MCC, etc.):

EASA also has cross-country flight requirements for other ratings, such as the Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-Crew Coordination (MCC). These ratings often include cross-country flight components to ensure pilots can operate in various flight environments.

6. Cross-Country Flight for Flight Training and Experience:

For student pilots: Cross-country flights help build navigation and flight planning skills, as well as experience in handling longer-distance flights.
For certified pilots: Cross-country flights are often used to build flight time for meeting license requirements, and they also help with proficiency in navigation, emergency procedures, and overall flight management.

7. Flight Planning and Requirements:

For all cross-country flights under EASA, flight planning is essential. Pilots must take into account:

Weather conditions: Pilots must check METARs, TAFs, and weather reports for departure, en-route, and destination airports.
Fuel calculations: Pilots need to ensure that there is sufficient fuel to complete the flight with reserves.
Alternate airports: An alternate airport should be selected in case of weather changes or other unforeseen circumstances.
Navigation aids: Pilots must use charts, GPS, or radio navigation (e.g., VOR) to aid in route navigation.

8. Endorsements:

Unlike the FAA, EASA does not require specific endorsements for solo cross-country flights. However, a flight instructor will assess a student’s competency before allowing them to complete solo cross-country flights. This might include:

Reviewing route planning.
Ensuring proficiency in navigation.
Verifying weather understanding.
Ensuring awareness of emergency procedures.

Summary of EASA Cross-Country Flight Essentials:

PPL Cross-Country Flight: At least 150 nautical miles, with two landings at different airports.
CPL Cross-Country Flight: At least 300 nautical miles, with two landings at different airports.
ATPL Cross-Country Flight: At least 300 nautical miles, multiple landings, part of 1,500 hours of training.
Planning: Weather, fuel, route, and alternate airports are key components of cross-country flight planning.
Instructor Assessment: Before solo cross-country flights, the instructor assesses the student's readiness.