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2 Answers

Cross-Country hrs during Instrument Training

Asked by: 4088 views Instrument Rating

I am currently doing my IFR training under part 61 and am questioning whether or not flying to a destination greater than 50nm and performing a missed approach would qualify as X-Country time, for the purpose of meeting the IFR aeronautical experience of 50hrs.  It seems that my CFII believes this is X-Country time eventhough no landing was made at the destination.  Is this correct, or does the approach need to terminate in a landing?

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2 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Jul 18, 2012

    The answer is found in 61.1 – definition of cross country.  It is important to note that the definition changes depending on the rule you are trying to satisfy.  In your situation, working on your instrument rating you must land at an airport greater than 50NM from the original point of departure.  You should make a landing at every airport.  If he doesn’t like it, tell him you are the customer.  He should know the regulations by now.
     
    In your CFII’s case, he is working on his ATP certificate and is only required to travel beyond 50NM and does not need to make a landing. 

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  2. Matthew Waugh on Jul 19, 2012

    As Wes says – one of your approaches at the airport 50NM away should end up in a touch and go (at least), which is a GOOD IDEA anyway – we spend a lot of time in instrument training conducting missed approaches (which is good, always primed for a misses approach etc.), but going visual at 200 ft and landing is a skill in itself and should be practiced.
     
    I am very disappointed in your CFI-I – and you should be to. They may be ignorant or they may be selfishly focused on their own needs, but either way it’s not a pretty picture.

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