Every FAA CPL candidate should complete at least one long cross-country flight with one leg over 250 nautical miles, as outlined in 14 CFR § 61.129.
Today marked the completion of my long cross-country flight: KCGC-KMTH-KIMM-KCGC, covering more than 6 flight hours with a single refueling stop.
Initially, the ceiling was around 1500 feet for the first 30-40 miles, gradually rising as I progressed southward. After covering approximately 70-80 miles, I found a relatively spacious clear area, allowing me to climb to 5500 feet. The air was remarkably calm at this altitude, offering a spectacular view of the surroundings.
There were no clouds above KMTH, and although there were some captivating cumulus clouds around Miami, they remained at a considerable distance.
With a steady and gentle wind, the landing was smooth and easy.
On the return journey, the weather was clear and sunny, except for the last 30 miles around our school airport, where the ceiling remained relatively low.
Completing this long cross-country is a challenging task, requiring favorable weather conditions along the route for at least 6-7 hours, and a very careful planning. Additionally, booking the airplane for the entire day adds another layer of complexity, resulting in some students having to wait several weeks for their long cross-country flights.
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