Hypothetical student XC loophole?
Asked by: stuwk 1745 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, Student Pilot
Hypothetical.
If a student pilot has the following endorsements (plus other applicable ones):
I certify that Joe Student has received the required training in both directions between KGRI and KJYR, including takeoffs and landings at the airports to be used, and I have determined that he/she is proficient of § 61.93(b)(2) to conduct repeated solo cross-country flights over that route, subject to the following conditions: Less than 5kt X-wind for takeoff and landings.
and
I certify that Joe Student has received the required training in both directions between KGRI and KEAR, including takeoffs and landings at the airports to be used, and I have determined that he/she is proficient of § 61.93(b)(2) to conduct repeated solo cross-country flights over that route, subject to the following conditions: Less than 5kt X-wind for takeoff and landings.
KGRI to KJYR is 31nm.
KGRI to KEAR is 35nm.
KJYR to KEAR is 64nm.
KGRI is the home airport.
Assuming the wind is calm all around that day, can the solo student takeoff at KGRI, fly to KJYR, land, takeoff, fly back along the route to KGRI but not land at KGRI, then continue flying to KEAR, land, then takeoff to land back at KGRI? If so, can the student log that as XC time since TOL were 64nm straight-line distance apart? They stayed on the endorsed routes.
Just curious... seemed like an interesting loophole for a student to log solo XC time if so...
Edit: More clarification of how this day would go:
- Student solo takes off at KGRI.
- They fly directly to KJYR and do a full stop landing, taxi back, and takeoff to head back towards KGRI.
- When they are flying over KGRI, they turn towards KEAR.
- At KEAR they do a full stop landing, taxi back, and takeoff to head back towards KGRI.
- They make a full-stop landing and park back at KGRI.
The questions are...
- Is this legal with the endorsements given (the two repeat XC endorsements above, no explicit one-time endorsement for a KGRI KJRY KEAR KGRI XC)?
- Can the student log this as solo XC time (for the purpose of meeting experience requirements, 50nm between TOL)?
(Edited a few points for clarity)
(Edit2 - Used real airports for example, as suggested, and added more points/detail for clarity.)
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