IFR Cross Country requirement – Is IMC necessary or can it be filed IFR under VMC?

4 Answers

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   awair on Mar 04, 2021

   I read that as Instrument Flight Training…under IFR…along airways…

   To me, the intention would be under the hood, or in IMC. I’m not sure that VMC with an autopilot meets the requirement? Check 61.1: Instrument training.

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   John D Collins on Mar 04, 2021

   The sections of the regulations in 61.1(b) and 61.65(d)(2) reads as follows:

   61.1(b) Cross-country time means—
   (i) Except as provided in paragraphs (ii) through (vi) of this definition, time acquired during flight—
   (A) Conducted by a person who holds a pilot certificate;
   (B) Conducted in an aircraft;
   (C) That includes a landing at a point other than the point of departure; and
   (D) That involves the use of dead reckoning, pilotage, electronic navigation aids, radio aids, or other navigation systems to navigate to the landing point.
   (ii) For the purpose of meeting the aeronautical experience requirements (except for a rotorcraft category rating), for a private pilot certificate (except for a powered parachute category rating), a commercial pilot certificate, or an instrument rating, or for the purpose of exercising recreational pilot privileges (except in a rotorcraft) under §61.101 (c), time acquired during a flight—
   (A) Conducted in an appropriate aircraft;
   (B) That includes a point of landing that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
   (C) That involves the use of dead reckoning, pilotage, electronic navigation aids, radio aids, or other navigation systems to navigate to the landing point.

   61.65(d)(2) Forty hours of actual or simulated instrument time in the areas of operation listed in paragraph (c) of this section, of which 15 hours must have been received from an authorized instructor who holds an instrument-airplane rating, and the instrument time includes:
   (i) Three hours of instrument flight training from an authorized instructor in an airplane that is appropriate to the instrument-airplane rating within 2 calendar months before the date of the practical test; and
   (ii) Instrument flight training on cross country flight procedures, including one cross country flight in an airplane with an authorized instructor, that is performed under instrument flight rules, when a flight plan has been filed with an air traffic control facility, and that involves–
   (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.

   To answer your specific questions. The flight must be conducted under instrument flight rules which requires a flight plan be filed. There is no requirement that the flight be conducted in IMC, but the flight is a dual flight where the CFI has to be the PIC and be current for IFR. You must conduct the flight under the hood with the CFI acting as your safety pilot or be in actual conditions.

   There isn’t an airplane requirement for the flight to include a leg of at least 100 NM, just that the entire filed route exceed 250 NM (helicopter is 100 NM total).

   Yes the an ILS, localizer, and VOR approach will satisfy the requirements if they are all conducted. The regulation does not require that three airports be used, but that is traditionally what is flown. To be counted as a cross country, there must be a landing “that includes a point of landing that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure.”

   The use of an autopilot is not mentioned and is considered as log-able instrument time if you are in actual conditions or under the hood with a safety pilot. Part of instrument flying includes cockpit resource management and you will be tested on your ability to use the autopilot during your practical exam. Some instructors may wish you to demonstrate your hand flying skills, but both are required for the flight exam.

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   Mark Kolber on Mar 08, 2021

   “Instrument flight rules” means under the…um…”rules” for instrument flight. IFR flight plans. IFR clearances. IFR alternate airport requirements, Etc.

   It does *not* mean “actual instrument meteorological conditions,” weather below VFR minimums.

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   Mark Kolber on Mar 08, 2021

   Besides, since it’s a dual flight, you instructor will know what is required and discuss the options with you.

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