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IFR Cross Country DISTANCE Question

Asked by: 4185 views , ,
Instrument Rating, Private Pilot

Hi All, I have what would seem a fairly basic question about the long cross country requirements. The regs call for a: 61.65d "(A) A flight of 250 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility; (B) An instrument approach at each airport; and (C) Three different kinds of approaches with the use of navigation systems. My Questions 1: Is the 250NM distance measured by straight line to the destination from your departure? (500NM roundtrip (surely not!)) or straight line 125NM out and back will suffice? Or Is it the total of each leg segment, regardless of leg segment totals (presumably at least 50NM away from departure aiport to qualify as a cross country), to meet the requirement?  Say a circle around the Dallas Bravo airspace stopping at 2 airports + departure/destination? Thanks Todd

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1 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Jul 09, 2015

    The total of the segments must add to 250 NM or more and at least one of the airports must be at least 50 NM from the departure airport.

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