Cross Country Planning

1. Draw course (if a/c is in knots, measure course in nautical miles, if a/c is in MPH, measure for statute miles) and enter total distance on log.

2. Select prominent checkpoints – enter on log

3. Measure distances between points and total. Enter on log and calculate distance remaining.

4. Measure the true course (use Lat/Long line) and calculate from middle of course.

5. Find magnetic variation on chart. Get magnetic deviation from A/C. Add or subtract to get magnetic course. Enter on log. (East is Least, West is Best)

6. Get weather information which should include:

a. Weather at destination (derived from terminal forecasts and hourly weather reports)

b. En route weather, mainly derived from terminal forecasts and hourly weather reports along the proposed route, help to indicate surface weather.

c. Weather for a proposed alternate route, if necessary. Check and hazardous weather that might affect your flight.

d. Precipitation, sky cover and visibility for all points along the route and alternate route.

e. Frontal activity (from area forecasts and surface charts)

f. Winds aloft forecasts (given in MSL and knots). It should be remembered that both winds aloft forecasts and aircraft altimeters are read in feet above sea level (MSL).

g. Any NOTAMS

h. REMEMBER – Ceiling is the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds or obscuring phenomena aloft that is reported as broken or overcast. Think of ceiling as being the lowest height at which more than half of the sky is covered by clouds.

7. After receiving wind info, select altitude.

a. Only 10 minutes per hour should be spent climbing to altitude, so a 2 hr trip should have at most 20 minutes of climbing.

Note: the wind altitude is given MSL – the terrain altitude and obstacles should now be subtracted from the selected MSL altitude to insure clearance and visibility.

b. For a flight more than 3000 ft AGL, magnetic courses between 0 and 179 degrees – odd thousands plus 500 ft.; 3500, 5500, etc.

Magnetic courses between 180 and 359 degrees – even thousands plus 500 ft.; 4500, 6500, etc.

8. Go to cruise performance chart – at proper altitude and temperature, choose RPM: 55% (best economy) to 75% (best power) and write down your choice on your log. Log TAS and GPH (round off high on fuel)

9. With TAS, true course, wind direction and velocity, solve for magnetic headings and ground speeds and enter on log.

Note: Use true course on computer and add wind correction angle to magnetic course – not true course.

Using the EGB to calculate GS and WCA

a. Put wind direction on index V

b. Pencil dot over wind speed from hole in plastic

c. Put T.C. under index

d. Put pencil mark on TAS line

e. Read G.S. under hole.

f. WCA left or right

g. Log WCA and Ground Speed

10. Calculate time to fly the trip using mileage between checkpoints and ground speed, enter ETE (estimated time enroute) and total.

Note: Normally, additional time is allowed for departing the traffic pattern and for the climb to cruising altitude. Time also should be allotted for entry into the traffic pattern at the destination airport. Five min. will be allowed for climb and five for decent and landing, for an additional 10 minutes to the entire trip.

14. Calculate total fuel required for trip and enter on log in fuel column at bottom of log.

Add one hour for weather reserve. Also as a rule of thumb, add 2 gallons of fuel for warm up and climb for each airport or calculate based on time to climb performance charts. Then add 10% to compensate for other than perfect engine and pilot performance.

15. Determine compass heading by comparing magnetic headings (magnetic course, plus or minus wind correction angle) against compass correction card which is located in the aircraft. This corrects for magnetic interference to the compass in the airplane. MH + or – deviation = compass heading. (CH)

16. Using sectional charts, fill in the VOR freq’s and morse code idents, if used.

17. Using the Airport Facility Directory, fill in the radio frequencies of departure and destination airports.

18. Calculate landing pattern altitude and enter at top of log.

19. Compare take-off rolls and landing distances for runways.

20. Check weight and balance.

21. Fill in FAA Flight Plan. If the flight plan is not to be closed at the destination tell FSS when filing plan.

22. Check for the most current TFR’s on sites like http://tfr.faa.gov/TFR/ , DUAT or AOPA.

23. Make chronological in-flight notes:

a. Who to call and at what location.

b. When and where to call approach.

c. Headings and altitude changes.

d. Initial headings to intercept radials.