__For many of us, going places is one of the wonders of flying. Many instructors like to take potential flight students on a short cross-country flight during the initial introductory flight in order to whet their appetite for the reward that awaits after they complete their primary training. Getting kicked out of the pattern is a bit like getting kicked out of the nest. With enough preparation, you are ready to literally try your wings and go somewhere. Except for the “long” required cross-country flight, most of your early trips were relatively short.
Some pilots are content with short out and back flights for a hamburger or to watch the sunset. That’s fine if that’s what you want to do. But if you’re planning to use your airplane for transportation, I recommend a long, long VFR cross-country flight to hone your aviating skills. A long trip crosses political and geographic boundaries, typically exposes you to weather differences, and requires you to consider fuel consumption and availability and deal with the unfamiliar. Making a real long cross-country after getting your private rating is like earning a graduate degree.
