vfr cross country flight

by: Mark Phillips, ATP CFII MEI

VFR CROSS COUNTRY

FLIGHT

PLANNING

EXECUTION

PHASES


Pre-plan and prepPlanePilotPortable comm, data, Nav

Provisional Flight PlanWeatherFinal Flight Plan(s)Flight

Briefing, pre-flight, fly

Preparations


PlaneRegistrationAnnual InspectionOil changeRepairs

PilotMedicalCurrentFlight ReviewPractice

Portable Comm & DataHardware and Apps

Portable Comm & DataHardware and Apps

Tips


Apple products work goodAcquire iPad and iPhone

Install apps on iPad & iPhoneLoad databases on iPad & iPhone

Allow at least 2 months for proficiency

Portable Comm & DataHardware


iPadGet the model having cellular capability

Provides on board GPSDo NOT need to enable the cellular (phone line not

needed)64 Gbs min memory

iPhone16 Gbs is not enough. Recommend 64

Mobile chargersCigarette lighter plug typeRechargeable portable battery pack

Wall chargers

Planning, Charting, & Nav Apps


DUAT www.duat.com Std Briefing & PlanningDUATS www.duats.com Std Briefing & PlanningWingXPro7 www.hiltonsoftware.com Charts, NavFlyQ Pocket app (works great with 3G. DUAT Std

Briefing, file flight plans, weather graphics)FltPlan app (back up charts)GPS RAIM Prediction www.raimprediction.netE6B Sporty’s, appSimple calculator std utility app

(Underlined items are most frequently used)

Weather Apps


Weather Street www.weatherstreet.com 7 dayUS Airnet www.usairnet.com 3 day aviationAWC www.aviationweather.gov 3 day, like FSSMyRadar app national radar, location forecastAccuWeather app current and forecastDUAT (listed previously)DUATS (listed previously)FlyQ Pocket (listed previously)WingXPro7 (listed previously) store wx, TFRs

(Underlined items are most frequently used)

Trip ExampleDestination Myrtle Beach, SCPA28-180110 kt cruise TAS10 gph fuel burn rateDepart LAFWt and Bal allows 38 gal fuelNav by GPS, DirectVFRNo night flying


Provisional Flight PlanMax Leg Distance


Wt and BalMax fuel (gals) for the planned load

Endurance (hours)Max Endur = Max fuel (gals)/ gphSafe Endur = Max Endur - 1 hour (for reserve)Plan Endur = Safe Endur (or less for people

endur)Ground Speed = cruise TAS

20kts less if westboundMax Leg Distance (Nm) = Plan Endur * Gnd

Spd

Max Leg Distanceexample


Max fuel for the load = 38 gal (depends on W &B)

10 gph fuel burn rate, 110 kt TAS cruiseMax Endur = 38 gal / 10 gph

Max Endur = 3.8 hrsSafe Endur is 1 hour less for reserve

Safe Endur = 2.8 hrsPlan Endur = 2.8 hrs (assume passengers OK)

Ground Speed = TAS (assume not westbound)Max Leg Dist = Plan Endur * GS

2.8 hrs * 110 kts = 308 Nm

Provisional Flight PlanCreate Route

Chart program (WingX7Pro)Start to finish, straight lineRoute around obstacles, airspace

Total distanceNumber of legs

legs = total distance / max leg distanceIdentify and insert fuel stop airports

at no greater than max leg distancesReview entire route, adjust as neededIdentify alternates


Final week before TripCheck weather each day

Weather street www.weatherstreet.comAccuweatherTV


3 Days before TripCheck weather each day

All previous sourcesWinds and temps aloft

Aviation weather center (AWC) www.aviationweather.gov

US Air Net www.usairnet.com


2 Days before TripCheck weather

All previous sources48 hour progs, AWC www.aviationweather.gov

Update all databasesMobile equipmentInstalled in plane

Confirm planned stops are feasible and OKFacilities and prices, hours, food

Make reservationsCharge all mobile equipment batteries


1 Day before TripPlane

PreflightFuelStart and warm up enginePreheat on

Brief passengersNo coffee tomorrow morning


Night before DepartureConfirm databases updatedDownload weather to ipad/iphone chart

appsOutlook briefing (DUAT) www.duat.comCheck leg times and fuel with DUAT or

equiv.Optimum cruise altitudeAdjust stops as requiredModify flight plans if necessaryModify reservations if necessary


Night before Departure (page 2)Enter flight plan legs into apps.

Chart program (WingX7Pro)DUATFlyQ Pocket

RAIM Forecast www.raimprediction.govPack flight bag

Paper chartsPlug in ipad and iphone chargers


Before leaving home for AirportCheck weather

AWC and others as neededStandard Briefing for first leg

DUATCall FSS with any questions

Download weather data to ipad and iphone chart app

RadarPack ipad and iphone and chargers!!!


Before boarding PlaneCheck Radar

MyRadar (or FlyQ Pocket)


During FlightNote time of DepartureEstablish VFR Flight Following (with ATC)ETE

After establishing cruise (from chart app or GPS)

Compare fuel remaining to ETERecheck each half hourConsider alternates

Call EFAS (Flight Watch) weather updates 122.0Alternative: ADS-B


At Each StopFuel up and check oilCheck weather

AWCFlyQ

Standard Briefing for next LegDUAT (FlyQ) or FSS

Radar


vfr cross country flight

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