Experience by the Numbers Makes a Difference

When it comes to logging cross-country distance, measure twice, fly once.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, July 01, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Modern avionics make cross-country flight easier. [Credit: FLYING Archive]

Key Takeaways:

A pilot applicant failed a check ride because a logged cross-country flight was just under the 50 nm requirement, emphasizing the critical need to verify flight distances against FAR Part 61.1 definitions which vary by certificate type.
While logged flight hours, including cross-country time, do not expire, pilots returning to flying should expect to conduct dual instruction to regain proficiency.
Instrument pilots should aim to learn various navigation methods and approaches, including less common ones like NDB/ADF and Localizer Back Course approaches, as they represent valuable skills for diverse flying scenarios.

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“I don’t think that qualifies as a cross-country.”

This phrase was uttered by a DPE who, reviewing the logbook of a private pilot applicant, noted that one of the flights logged as a cross-country came up a little short. The flight had been made from what was then known as Crest Airpark (S36) to Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO) in Washington state. The DPE was local and familiar with the flight, as pretty much every locally trained pilot candidate made the flight to Arlington at least two or three times as they pursued their certificates.