2008 Woodie Awards
Cross-country flights require knowledge, planning
Jimmy Owenby
Issue date: 10/27/06 Section: News
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Finally, you get a chance to leave the friendly confines of the practice areas and venture out to see the rest of the Southwest; yes, I am talking about cross-countries. Cross-countries can be one of the most rewarding parts of your flight training, when hours of planning and preparation can successfully lead you to your destination airport. A few simple steps can help you make these treks as safe as possible.
The first part of any cross-country flight plan is the initial routing. Make sure that courses and altitudes meet acceptable terrain and airspace requirements. Give yourself a safety buffer and think of possible outs if a malfunction occurs. Complete a common sense check once your routing is complete and ask the following questions: Do I have easily identifiable check points? Do my course headings make sense? What kind of airspace am I going to go through?
As all of you know, weather is an extremely important part to any flight and this is especially true of cross-country flights. Unlike local flights where looking out the window is a clue into whether to go or not, a cross-country can encompass hundreds of miles and pass through many geographical areas. A thorough briefing is imperative on all cross-country flights. Calling or visiting flight service or using DUATS [www.duats.com] are the only avenues that one can receive an official weather briefing. This is also a good time to check NOTAMS and other information that can affect your flight. Remember to file your flight plan and open it before you depart.
Finally, when the time has come to actually fly your cross-country remember a few things. Fly your flight plan, fly the courses that you planned and back them up with checkpoints outside. If you become disoriented, use the lost procedures in order to regain situational awareness. Circle over your point, look at your sectional and use radio navigation if possible. If you are still unable to find your position, call Flight Service or Center and ask for help. Once back on track, evaluate your fuel situation and land at another airport if needed. If the need arises to divert, look for an airport that has services to accommodate your needs, plan an appropriate course and look for checkpoints along your new route. Update flight service of the changes and your new ETA.
Remember to close your VFR flight plan whenever you land and to properly secure the aircraft. Proper planning and the use of ATC services will greatly increase the safety of the flight and improve your skills as a professional pilot.
The first part of any cross-country flight plan is the initial routing. Make sure that courses and altitudes meet acceptable terrain and airspace requirements. Give yourself a safety buffer and think of possible outs if a malfunction occurs. Complete a common sense check once your routing is complete and ask the following questions: Do I have easily identifiable check points? Do my course headings make sense? What kind of airspace am I going to go through?
As all of you know, weather is an extremely important part to any flight and this is especially true of cross-country flights. Unlike local flights where looking out the window is a clue into whether to go or not, a cross-country can encompass hundreds of miles and pass through many geographical areas. A thorough briefing is imperative on all cross-country flights. Calling or visiting flight service or using DUATS [www.duats.com] are the only avenues that one can receive an official weather briefing. This is also a good time to check NOTAMS and other information that can affect your flight. Remember to file your flight plan and open it before you depart.
Finally, when the time has come to actually fly your cross-country remember a few things. Fly your flight plan, fly the courses that you planned and back them up with checkpoints outside. If you become disoriented, use the lost procedures in order to regain situational awareness. Circle over your point, look at your sectional and use radio navigation if possible. If you are still unable to find your position, call Flight Service or Center and ask for help. Once back on track, evaluate your fuel situation and land at another airport if needed. If the need arises to divert, look for an airport that has services to accommodate your needs, plan an appropriate course and look for checkpoints along your new route. Update flight service of the changes and your new ETA.
Remember to close your VFR flight plan whenever you land and to properly secure the aircraft. Proper planning and the use of ATC services will greatly increase the safety of the flight and improve your skills as a professional pilot.
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