When Is a Student Pilot Ready for First Solo Cross-Country?

Question: I’m training to be a CFI, and I’m wondering how you know when your learners are ready to go on their first solo cross-country flight? I know about cFAR 61.87 that covers solo requirements for student pilots, but it doesn’t give details on when to let them out of the nest. What if they do something [foolish] like fly into IFR conditions or land at the wrong airport?

Answer: Many CFIs, myself included, have the learner make their first solo cross-country flight to an airport they have flown to previously with an instructor, preferably recently. During that flight they must demonstrate their ability to act as PIC and perform ground speed checks and obtain weather en route, find all the checkpoints, and navigate by pilotage, dead reckoning, and electronic means of navigation beyond the use of GPS. They also need to use a navlog.

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For all solo cross-country flights done by a student pilot, a CFI must review their navlog and endorse them to make that particular flight. If you are called upon to do this, pay special attention to the details, such as route and airspace, weather considerations, and aircraft performance data, including takeoff and landing distances and fuel burn. Make sure the plan does not violate any FARs or flight school policies, as both can come back to bite you. 

When you endorse the learner for the flight, it is helpful to include a line stating “weather checked as of (insert time)” and let the learner know that if they encounter a problem like weather or an aircraft issue as PIC, they have the authority to divert or turn around and return to the departure airport.

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