Flight Training - Cross Country

For most student pilots, the cross-country phase of training brings a new rush of excitement. All the elements of your training come together as you expand your aeronautical horizons, first with your flight instructor and, then, by yourself as you close in on the solo cross-country experience requirement of the pilot certificate that you're pursuing. Part of the excitement, no doubt, comes from the realization that you're nearing your objective. There can be apprehension, too, and perhaps even a fear of getting lost — but your knowledge of the established and proven procedures for just that contingency should help to alleviate any concerns.

FAQs

Millions of people have learned to fly and they've all had questions along the way. These are the most frequently asked questions with answers and links to more info.

Interactive Courses & Quizzes

We've created some entertaining yet highly informative interactive courses to help you understand key topics and short quizzes to test your knowledge.

Flying Skills

These are the hands-on (and feet-on) flying skills needed to control an aircraft in a safe, professional manner. From engine start to a landing on a short grass strip with howling crosswinds, it's all here.

Topic Briefs

We've provided richly illustrated briefing papers on several key topics. You can view them online or download them to print or read later.

Special Topics:

Weather

A complete weather picture is even more important now that your flights are taking you over greater distances. Your aviation vocabulary

Airspace and aeronautical charts

Your knowledge of different airspace types — and how to identify them — will get a workout during cross-country flight.

Weight and Balance

Although weight and balance are always important, longer distances and accompanying increased fuel consumption lend a different dimension.

Avionics and instruments

The dials and gauges in front of you convey important information on your flight and allow you to communicate.

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An LSA school with the right stuff

“I had a misconception about sport flying,” said San Diego Sport Flyers flight instructor David Garcia. But, “It’s more of a fun approach. The flying is simpler.” Garcia is one of a handful of instructors teaching new sport and private pilots at San Diego Sport Flyers. According to Garcia the average student is finishing the sport pilot certificate in about 30 hours, considerably less time than the private, which some estimate to take an average of 60 hours nationally.

How are they able to do it? For one, there are fewer requirements. Since sport pilot doesn’t require night flying or as much total training, pilots can often train to proficiency, rather than checking a box. “There are a lot of people who just want to go out and fly for fun,” Garcia said. And since it’s less expensive, Garcia said some are supporting their flying habit by “flipping burgers.”

But with fewer requirements comes more restrictions, such as being able to take only one passenger and not being able to fly at night. “I’ve never seen people who are discouraged by the limits,” Garcia said.

Skycatcher vs. Skyhawk

The SkyCatcher and Skyhawk were built to different federal standards, but students may need to choose between the two. The biggest difference for students is rental cost.

The choice between a fully certified Cessna 172 and the smaller light sport Cessna 162 SkyCatcher depends on the certificate sought and the rental cost. The SkyCatcher can be used for the private certificate or the sport pilot certificate, and is expected to rent for $90 to $120 per hour. Newer Cessna 172s range from $135 an hour for an aircraft with analog instruments to $145 for a Skyhawk with a Garmin G1000 glass panel. If you are going for a private certificate, the SkyCatcher can save $30 an hour, or a total savings of $1,500 to $2,000. If you want a sport certificate, you’ll find yourself in a light sport aircraft.

Common LSA trainers

More than 100 LSA aircraft on the market means there are lots of opportunities for trainers. But a few stand out as being popular among flight schools.

Piper Aircraft PiperSport
Piper Aircraft adapted the Czech Sport Aircraft SportCruiser and renamed it the PiperSport. It is a popular trainer at a Long Island, New York, flight school.

Flight Design CTLS
The country’s best-selling light sport aircraft is also one of its most popular trainers.

Gobosh 700
With a sleek design, big bubble canopy, and easy landing characteristics, the Gobosh is a perfect fit for the training market.

Remos GX
Other than being AOPA’s sweepstakes airplane for 2010, the Remos is also considered to be one of the more robust and capable LSAs available.

Tecnam Sierra
The Sierra is just one of Tecnam’s many offerings for flight schools. The company has a long history of building certified airplanes in Europe.

Mnemonics to go

Here's a handy dandy cheat sheet of commonly used mnemonics—clip me out and go!

GUMPS
Before landing: Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Propeller, Seatbelts.

CIGAR
Before takeoff: Controls, Instruments, Gas, Attitude (trim), Run up.

BLT
Before takeoff: Boost pump, Lights, Transponder.

ARROW
For required documents: Airworthiness certificate, Registration, FCC Radiostation license, Operating limitations, Weight and balance.

TTTTT
When holding: Time, Turn, Twist (the OBS), Throttle (power back), Talk (announce entering the hold).

FACTS
After landing: Flaps, Aux fuel pump, Cowl flaps, Transponder, Switches.

ANDS
For compass error: Accelerate North, Decelerate South.

GOOSE A CAT
For VFR equipment: Gas gauge, Oil temperature, Oil pressure, Seatbelts, ELT, Altimeter, Compass, Airspeed, Tachometer.

RAWFAT
Required preflight information: Runway length, Alternates, Weather, Fuel requirements, ATC delays, Takeoff and landing distances.

CCCCC
For go-arounds: Cram (full power), Climb, Clean, Clear (sidestep the runway), Communicate.

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