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AviationCross-country flight planning
The examiner assigns you a cross-country trip and you prepare, present and explain the VFR flight plan to the first fuel stop, with a risk analysis based on real-time weather. It is Task D of Area I, Preflight Preparation, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.
Free to startThe steps
- Prepare, present and explain the cross-country flight plan the examiner assigns, with a risk analysis based on real-time weather, to the first fuel stop.
- Apply the right information from current aeronautical charts, the Chart Supplement, NOTAMs on airport, runway and taxiway closures, and other flight publications.
- Create a navigation plan and simulate filing a VFR flight plan.
- Recalculate the fuel reserves in a scenario the examiner gives you.
- Use an electronic flight bag, if you use one.
Safety rules that stop the station
- A computer-generated flight plan is accepted when you prepare, present and explain it.
- Failing to exercise risk management is unsatisfactory.
- If you do not use sound aeronautical decision-making, including single-pilot resource management, the examiner marks the task as failed.
To pass
- A complete plan to the first fuel stop, the right charts and NOTAMs, the VFR flight plan filed in simulation and the fuel reserves recalculated.
- Know route planning through the airspace classes and special use airspace, altitude selection for terrain, obstacles and wind, how to calculate time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, groundspeed, arrival time in UTC and fuel with its reserve, the elements of a VFR flight plan and how to file, activate and close it, and the risks of the pilot, the aircraft, the environment, external pressures, ATC limits and fuel planning.
- Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.
Official source
Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS
Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.
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