Task D: Cross-Country Flight Planning

Here's what you should know for each of the topics you listed:

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PA.I.D.K1 Route planning, including consideration of different classes and special use airspace (SUA) and selection of appropriate and available navigation/communication systems and facilities.

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What it is: This involves determining the specific path your aircraft will follow from your departure airport to your destination and considering everything along or near that path.

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What you should know:

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How to spread out your aeronautical charts (like sectional charts) and draw your intended flight path using a pencil and plotter.

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How to select checkpoints along your route.

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You must consider different classes of airspace along your route. You need to be familiar with the operational requirements for each class of airspace (Class A, B, C, D, E, G).

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You must consider Special Use Airspace (SUA), such as Restricted Areas or Military Operations Areas (MOAs). Avoiding restricted/prohibited airspace or special use airspace when possible.

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You need to be able to select appropriate and available navigation and communication systems and facilities. This includes knowing how to use visual navigation (pilotage – by landmarks), navigation by calculation (dead reckoning), and potentially radio navigation using VORs or GPS/RNAV systems if your aircraft is equipped. You also need to know how to use communication radios, including procedures at towered and non-towered airports. Using VFR waypoints can supplement visual navigation, especially around complex airspace.

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PA.I.D.K1a a. Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.

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What it is: An EFB is an electronic information system used in the flight deck to enhance safety and efficiency. It can be a tablet with aviation apps.

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What you should know:

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The ACS lists using an EFB as a knowledge element if applicable.

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Presenting a computer-generated flight plan (often done with an EFB) is an acceptable option for the practical test.

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Using an EFB involves risk management, and you may be assessed on your skill in using one.

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If you use an EFB for navigation or weather, you should be familiar with its operation and understand its limitations. Relying solely on GPS or similar systems for VFR navigation is cautioned against; the pilot is still responsible for navigation.

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PA.I.D.K2 Altitude selection accounting for terrain and obstacles, glide distance of airplane, VFR cruising altitudes, and effect of wind.

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What it is: Choosing the altitude(s) you will fly at during different phases of your flight.

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What you should know:

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Your selected altitude must comply with regulations. Specifically, if flying above 3,000 feet AGL under VFR, you must comply with 14 CFR 91.159. This regulation states that for magnetic courses 0-179°, fly at odd thousands + 500 feet MSL (e.g., 3,500, 5,500), and for magnetic courses 180-359°, fly at even thousands + 500 feet MSL (e.g., 4,500, 6,500).

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You must select an altitude high enough to meet terrain and obstruction clearance requirements. Maintaining at least 2,000 feet of clearance above obstacles and terrain along the route, and ensuring the terrain does not exceed the aircraft's service ceiling.

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Consider the glide distance of the airplane. A higher altitude provides more options and time to react in case of an engine failure. Selecting a suitable emergency landing area involves considering altitude.

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Account for the effect of wind at different altitudes. Wind affects your groundspeed and, consequently, your flight time and fuel burn. Choosing an altitude with favorable winds (tailwinds) can reduce flight time and fuel consumption, while unfavorable winds (headwinds) can increase them. Calculating wind correction angle is necessary to maintain your desired course.

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PA.I.D.K3 Calculating:

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PA.I.D.K3a a. Time, climb and descent rates, course, distance, heading, true airspeed, and groundspeed.

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What it is: Performing the necessary calculations for your flight plan. This is fundamental to dead reckoning navigation.

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What you should know: You need to be able to calculate:

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Distance: Measure distances between points on your chart.

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True Course (TC): Determine the true direction between two points on your chart.

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True Airspeed (TAS): Your speed relative to the air, affected by temperature and altitude (specifically density altitude).

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Wind Correction Angle (WCA): The angle you must turn into the wind to maintain your desired true course.

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True Heading (TH): True Course corrected for Wind Correction Angle.

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Magnetic Variation: The difference between true north and magnetic north, obtained from the chart.

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Magnetic Heading (MH): True Heading corrected for Magnetic Variation.

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Compass Heading (CH): Magnetic Heading corrected for compass deviation (found on a compass deviation card in the aircraft). You navigate using the magnetic direction indicator (compass).

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Groundspeed (GS): Your actual speed relative to the ground, affected by TAS and wind.

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Time: Calculate the time it will take to fly a segment of your route based on distance and groundspeed. Calculate estimated time en route (ETE) and estimated time of arrival (ETA).

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Climb and Descent Rates: Estimate the time and distance required to climb to cruise altitude or descend for arrival.

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These calculations can be done using mathematical formulas, a manual flight computer (E6B), or an electronic flight computer.

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PA.I.D.K3b b. Estimated time of arrival, including conversion to universal coordinated time (UTC).

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What it is: Determining when you expect to arrive at your destination airport and expressing that time using a standard time reference used in aviation.

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What you should know: You must be able to calculate your Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). Flight planning involves using Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), also known as Zulu time. You need to be able to convert local time to UTC and vice-versa.

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PA.I.D.K3c c. Fuel requirements, including reserve.

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What it is: Calculating how much fuel you will need for the flight and ensuring you have extra fuel beyond the minimum required by regulations.

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What you should know: You must determine the total fuel needed for the flight based on your estimated flight time and fuel consumption rate. You must include the required fuel reserve as specified by regulations. Fuel planning is a key risk management area. You should consider fuel availability at airports along your route. Being able to recalculate fuel reserves based on changing conditions (like headwinds or routing changes) is a required skill.

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PA.I.D.K4 Elements of a VFR flight plan.

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What it is: Understanding the information required or typically included when filing a VFR flight plan.

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What you should know: Be familiar with the standard VFR flight plan form and the type of information it requires. This typically includes aircraft identification, aircraft type and special equipment (like a transponder code, e.g., C-150/X for no transponder), proposed departure time in UTC, cruising altitude (often listed as "VFR"), route of flight, destination, estimated time en route, number of persons onboard, and fuel on board. The information used to fill out a navigation log (checkpoints, headings, time, distance, fuel burn) directly supports creating the flight plan elements. When requesting a weather briefing, the briefer will ask for much of the information needed for a flight plan (type of flight, aircraft ID/pilot name, aircraft type, departure, route, destination, altitudes, ETD, ETE).

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PA.I.D.K5 Procedures for filing, activating, and closing a VFR flight plan.

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What it is: Knowing how to properly initiate, utilize, and terminate a VFR flight plan.

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What you should know:

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Filing: You can file a VFR flight plan with Flight Service (FSS) via phone (1-800-WX-BRIEF is a common number) or online platforms.

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Activating: A VFR flight plan is not automatically activated upon departure. You must contact Flight Service once airborne (or arrange for them to activate it at your estimated departure time if you don't depart at your planned time).

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Closing: You must remember to close your VFR flight plan upon arrival at your destination. Failing to do so will initiate search and rescue procedures, which is a waste of resources. You can close a VFR flight plan by contacting Flight Service.

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PA.I.D.K6 Inflight intercept procedures.

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What it is: Knowing what to do if your aircraft is intercepted by military aircraft.

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What you should know: You must understand the procedures for inflight intercept. This is a safety and regulatory requirement, as failing to follow instructions from an intercepting aircraft can have serious consequences. 

 

In summary, to pass your exam regarding Cross-Country Flight Planning (Task D), you need to demonstrate that you can effectively plan a VFR flight, including choosing a safe route considering airspace and terrain, selecting an appropriate altitude, calculating necessary flight data (times, speeds, headings, fuel), and knowing how to properly use and manage a VFR flight plan. The practical test will involve presenting and explaining a flight plan you've prepared.

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**I'm not a CFI, don't forget to verify the information as times change. Email me for any updates that I might have missed.