How far is the first Dual-Cross Country Flight normally? NM...?

Answer 1

First, eferrell01, you really DO NOT KNOW what the heck you are talking about, recommend you read ALL of part 61 to ge a clue!
25 nm = a cross country? giveme a break! see the facts below!

baron_von_party, you are a PILOT?? if so you need a refresher
if you are logging cross country time for the "40 -60 nm range"
you are doing so in iggnorance. see the facts below. MY bet is you are a
"WANNABE pilot!


Oh The Humanity, Irecommend YOU read part 61 starting with 61.1 as the DEFINATION of cross country as it applies to a private pilot .

61.109 only says you have to have ONE flight over 100nm see part (i)
to quote::
§ 61.109 Aeronautical experience.


(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;

(2) Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—

(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance


By DEFINITION, according to part 61 of the "FARS"( Applicability and definitions.)
Cross county is >50 nm see:
§ 61.1
i) 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;



(C) That involves the use of dead reckoning, pilotage, electronic navigation aids, radio aids, or other navigation systems to navigate to the landing point.
§61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—
(These flight are with the instructor aboard.)
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;

(2) Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—

(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and


Solo cross country requirements are:
§61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;

(2) Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—

(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance


So the answere to your question, expect an airport that is closest to you that is greater than 50 nm. (50.1nm is sufficient)

Answer 2

For a private pilot license. the applicant must have 3 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane. Cross country flight is anything greater than 25 miles from home airport.
Reading the FAR's I don't see a requirement for Dual cross country, only instruction in the procedures and planning. It is left up to the instructor how much and how far you can go.
When I got my license, the instructor had to accompany you on your first cross country flight. Then cross country then was 50 miles. The requirement was 3 hrs. cross country minimum, landings at two airports, one on which was 100 nm away from home.

Answer 3

Oh maybe in the 40-60 nm category. Usually the instructor has an airport in mind or he/she will ask if you have a spot in mind, but normally they want to get a few students done in a day so will want to keep the session around or under 3-4 hours incl pretrip instruction. Will probably want to make it an hour or so each way or less, short enough so they can squeeze in another student but long enough that you get a feeling for pilotage and dead reckoning and maybe some nav-aid work. If it's a slow day or the instructor doesn't have alot of students he/she is working then maybe longer IF you can afford the rental and instruction time.
EDIT: In response to the second reply, the question was how long for the FIRST DUAL cross country, not how long the solos have to be, etc. I think my answer is appropriate to the question of how long the first cross country will be just to expose the student to the procedures of doing a cross country flight.
In addition, I see the person asking the question is in NM, it's possible the instructor may be somewhat limited in a shorter range that I mentioned, I am in the upper midwest where there are lots of airports to choose from. Also the instructor may want to fly into a "controlled" field or an uncontrolled. I'd have to look in my logbook to remember where we went first, I think it's up to the instructor more than anything formal. I trained at a controlled airport and I think we went to another controlled field first, then later was instructed on approaching uncontrolled fields. Lots of pilots who have flown primarily out of uncontrolled fields seem more comfortable in that environment, I'd rather fly into a controlled field any day.

Answer 4

Regs require at least 50nm to count as a cross-country flight for training purposes, for a Recreational licence or higher, in a fixed-wing aircraft. I'll assume that's what you are refering to as you didn't state and the distance requirement is differant for Sport pilot or Rotorcraft (only 25 miles). Other than that, it's up to your instructor. He will probably have certain airports he uses every time so it will depend on how far those are!