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Commercial Long XC – clarifying the distance requirements

Asked by: 2811 views Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations

Hi, I have searched through prior questions but couldn't find an answer that clarifies my question pertaining to the long XC flight required by 61.129(a)(4)(i) - A solo (or performing duties of PIC with instructor on board) in a single engine airplane cross-country flight of not less than 300nm total distance, with 3 landings, at least one of which is 250nm away from the departure point. 

Can I meet this requirement by flying to an airport that is 263nm from my origin, eat and refuel, and reverse the route except make a landing somewhere along the route to satisfy the 3 landings requirement? The trip would be >300nm and includes 3 landings (1 of which is more than 250nm from the point of origin). My question is if my flight ends when I stop at the first airport for lunch and fuel, or does the round-trip count as one flight?

I suspect it is the latter but I don't see a definition in CFR 1.1 for "flight", only "flight time", so is it plausible to argue that the trip up and back is one flight with just a break to refuel the aircraft (and pilot) and therefore the whole "flight" is >300nm? 

 

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1 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Nov 24, 2020

    Yes, what you propose is perfectly fine. Actually, it’s perfectly normal. There are many airplanes where a 500+ nm flight isn’t safely possible without at least stopping for fuel anyway.

    Nothing says what constitutes a “flight”. It can be on multiple days even. The whole idea of this requirement is to ensure that you have at least gone “somewhere” outside of your local area sometime in your piloting life.

    Note that the flight doesn’t even have to be round-trip, that’s why it’s worded in the weird way that it is. Lots of possible example of this – you fly to Grandma’s house 300+ nm away and bring her back home for Thanksgiving dinner. You buy an airplane from somewhere 300+ nm away and fly it back home. Just make sure you land enough times on the way, and are solo for the part you want to count, and you meet the requirement.

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