Q. I need one more solo cross-country flight before I can take my private pilot checkride, and I?d like to use the flight to visit some friends. But as my CFI and I read Federal Aviation Regulation 61.93, Solo Cross-Country Flight Requirements, I can?t make this flight because I haven?t flown the route, as required by subparagraph (b)(2). I don?t want to make this flight twice ? once with my CFI and then again solo ? and I really don?t want to fly a cross-country to someplace I?ve been already. Is there a way around this?
A. FAR 61.93(b) and its subparagraphs apply to "certain solo and cross-country flights" only ? not all cross-country flights. In short, these requirements are for students who are based at one airport, but need to practice at another airport for some reason, such as high traffic density at their home airport. Section (b)(1) is for solo flights to another airport that is "within 25 nautical miles from the airport where the student pilot normally receives training," and section (b)(2) is for "repeated specific cross-country flights to another airport that is within 50 nautical miles of the airport from which the flight originated."
FAR 61.91(c) gives the requirements for student solo cross-country flights to airports more than 50 nm distant. (Remember, section (b)(2) limits flights that are "within 50 nautical miles.") To make your cross-country visit, you?ll need your CFI to endorse your student pilot certificate and logbook (something he?s already done, if you?ve made at least one solo cross-country).
For this specific flight, your CFI must review your cross-country planning (including the weather) and make a logbook endorsement that specifies the make and model aircraft you?ll fly; state that your planning is correct, and that you?re ready to make the flight under the current, known conditions; and add any specific limitations, such as no flying at night.
Have a good flight.
