Summary of Cross-Country Flight Planning
Objective
To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with cross-country flights and VFR flight planning.
Knowledge
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.
Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of the airplane, VFR cruising altitudes, and the effect of wind.
Calculating:
Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed
Estimated time of arrival to include conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC)
Fuel requirements, to include reserve
Elements of a VFR flight plan.
Procedures for activating and closing a VFR flight plan.
Risk Management
Risk Management The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:
Pilot.
Aircraft.
Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
External pressures.
Limitations of air traffic control (ATC) services.
Improper fuel planning.
Skills
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:
Prepare, present, and explain a cross-country flight plan assigned by the evaluator including a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop.
Apply pertinent information from appropriate and current aeronautical charts, Chart Supplements; NOTAMs relative to airport, runway and taxiway closures; and other flight publications.
Create a navigation plan and simulate filing a VFR flight plan.
Recalculate fuel reserves based on a scenario provided by the evaluator.
References
14 CFR part 91
FAA-H-8083-2
FAA-H-8083-25
Navigation Charts
Chart Supplements
AIM
NOTAMs
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This website is in the very early stages of development at the moment. While I'm currently working on pulling information from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge my next goal will be to process information from all the documents referenced in the private pilot’s Airman Certification Standards. So, please come back as I'll regularly be providing you with more and more information.
