The FAA definition of a cross-country flight depends on the context, particularly the type of flight or pilot certificate. Here’s the breakdown:
1. For Private Pilot Certificate (FAR 61.1)
According to FAR 61.1(b)(3), a cross-country flight is defined as a flight that:
- Involves a landing at least 50 nautical miles from the point of departure.
This is the minimum requirement for cross-country flight time that counts toward a Private Pilot Certificate.
2. For Instrument Rating (FAR 61.65)
For the Instrument Rating (IR), the definition of a cross-country flight is similar, but it must meet additional conditions. The flight must:
- Be a flight of at least 50 nautical miles from the point of departure.
- Be conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), either in actual instrument conditions or simulated conditions, as part of the training requirements.
3. For Commercial Pilot Certificate (FAR 61.129)
For a Commercial Pilot Certificate, the FAA defines a cross-country flight more specifically:
- A cross-country flight involves at least 50 nautical miles from the departure point.
- The total cross-country flight time for the commercial certificate requires at least 300 nautical miles of cross-country flight time, with 100 NM of that being a straight-line distance between the departure point and the destination.
4. For Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate (FAR 61.159)
For the ATP Certificate, cross-country flight time is also defined as:
- A flight of at least 50 nautical miles from the departure point, similar to the private and instrument definitions.
Key Takeaways:
- Cross-country flight typically involves a flight where the destination is at least 50 NM away from the departure point.
- It applies to various certificates, including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Airline Transport Pilot.
For training purposes, a cross-country flight may also involve navigating through controlled or uncontrolled airspace, and it could be conducted under either VFR (Visual Flight Rules) or IFR (Instrument Flight Rules), depending on the specific training.
Let me know if you need more clarification or further details!
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