Cross-Country Flight Planning: From A to B (and Back)

What Makes a Flight "Cross-Country"?

Before we dive into planning, let's clarify the definition. Under 14 CFR §61.1, a cross-country flight is:

• A flight that includes a landing at a point other than the departure airport
• For private pilot requirements: Must include a point at least 50 nautical miles from the original departure point

This distinction matters for logging time toward certificates and ratings.

The 6 Steps of Cross-Country Planning

Step 1: Route Selection

Start with the big picture before details.

Consider:

• Direct route - Draw a straight line. Is it practical?
• Airspace - What Class B, C, D, or restricted areas are along the route?
• Terrain - Mountains, water, or other obstacles?
• Alternate airports - Where could you land if needed?
• VFR checkpoints - Identifiable landmarks for navigation

Tools:

• Sectional charts (paper or digital)
• ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, or SkyVector
• Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) for airport info

Step 2: Weather Analysis

Weather is the most common reason for accidents and delays.

Check These Sources:

Source

What It Tells You

METARs	Current conditions at airports
TAFs	Forecast conditions (next 24-30 hours)
Area Forecasts	Big picture for entire region
Prog Charts	Fronts, pressure systems, precipitation
PIREPs	Actual pilot reports of conditions
AIRMETs/SIGMETs	Significant weather hazards

Personal Minimums:

As a newer pilot, set personal minimums higher than legal VFR minimums:

• Ceiling: 3,000+ feet AGL
• Visibility: 5+ statute miles
• Winds: Max 15 knots, crosswind max 8 knots
• No convective activity within 50nm

Step 3: Performance Calculations

Your airplane's performance varies with conditions.

Calculate:

• Takeoff distance - Use POH charts for:

- Pressure altitude

- Temperature

- Aircraft weight

- Wind component

- Runway surface

• Climb performance - Rate of climb at expected conditions

• Cruise performance - True airspeed, fuel burn at planned altitude

• Landing distance - Same factors as takeoff

Example Calculation:

Flying a Cessna 172S from KPAO (Palo Alto) to KMOD (Modesto):

• Pressure altitude: 2,000 ft
• Temperature: 25°C (ISA +10)
• Weight: 2,400 lbs
• Headwind: 5 knots

From POH: Cruise TAS = 122 knots, fuel burn = 8.5 GPH

Step 4: Navigation Log

Create a detailed navigation log for the flight.

For Each Leg:

Field

Value

Checkpoint	Identifiable point
Course	True course (from chart)
Distance	Nautical miles
Wind	Direction/speed at altitude
Heading	Corrected for wind
Ground Speed	Calculated with wind
ETE	Estimated time enroute
Fuel	Gallons for leg

Example Leg:

• KPAO to Livermore VOR (LVK)
• True course: 078°
• Distance: 22nm
• Wind at 5,500: 320° at 15 knots
• Wind correction: +8°
• True heading: 086°
• Magnetic variation: 14°E
• Magnetic heading: 072°
• Ground speed: 115 knots
• ETE: 11.5 minutes
• Fuel: 1.6 gallons

Step 5: Fuel Planning

Never run out of fuel. It's the most preventable emergency.

Calculate:

• Fuel required:

- Taxi and runup: 1.5 gallons

- Climb to cruise: varies

- Cruise: (distance/ground speed) × fuel burn

- Descent: minimal

- Approach and landing: 1 gallon

• Fuel reserves:

- Day VFR: 30-minute reserve (regulatory minimum)

- Better practice: 45-60 minute reserve

• Total fuel needed:

- Required + Reserve = Total

Example:

Phase

Time

Fuel (GPH)

Gallons

Taxi/runup	-	-	1.5
Climb	10 min	12	2.0
Cruise	45 min	8.5	6.4
Descent	5 min	6	0.5
Reserve	45 min	8.5	6.4
Total	16.8

With 56 gallons usable, you have plenty of margin.

Step 6: Weight and Balance

An out-of-balance airplane is dangerous.

Calculate:

• Basic empty weight × arm = moment
• Add pilot, passengers, baggage, fuel
• Sum weights and moments
• Verify:

- Total weight ≤ max gross weight

- CG within limits (forward and aft)

Tips:

• Recalculate for return flight (different fuel load)
• Consider fuel burn during flight shifts CG aft
• Use digital W&B calculators to reduce errors

Filing Your Flight Plan

For cross-countries, file a VFR flight plan.

Why File:

• Search and rescue activation if you don't close it
• Good habit for IFR transition
• Forces thorough planning

How to File:

• 1800wxbrief.com - Online filing
• ForeFlight/Garmin - In-app filing
• FSS radio - Call 1-800-WX-BRIEF

Remember:

• Activate your flight plan after takeoff (contact FSS)
• Close your flight plan after landing (critical!)
• Failure to close triggers search and rescue

In-Flight Execution

Your plan meets reality.

Monitor:

• Fuel burn vs. planned
• Ground speed vs. calculated
• Time over checkpoints
• Weather changes

Adjust:

• Divert if weather deteriorates
• Update flight plan if significantly delayed
• Never press on when conditions say no

ClearProp and Cross-Countries

After your cross-country, log it properly:

• Total time for the flight
• Cross-country time (automatically flagged)
• Airports visited
• Night time if applicable
• Distance flown

ClearProp tracks your cross-country hours toward certificate requirements, showing exactly how many more hours you need.

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Safe travels, and remember: A good pilot is always learning.