Your first solo cross-country flight is one of the most significant milestones in flight training. It's where everything comes together: navigation, communication, decision-making, and airmanship.
This guide walks you through the entire process, from planning to execution to post-flight debrief.
FAA requirements for solo cross-country
Distance requirements: - Flight must be at least 150nm total distance - Must include a landing at least 50nm from departure point - Must include three points (three different airports) - Must include three takeoffs and three full-stop landings
Additional requirements: - Solo endorsement from CFI - Cross-country endorsement for specific flight - Pre-solo written test completed - Medical certificate and student pilot certificate
Choosing your route
Selecting airports
Start with: - Towered airports if you've practiced - Class D (simpler than Class C or B) - Airports 50-75nm away (not too short, not too long)
Consider: - Weather patterns in the area - Runway length and orientation - Available services (fuel, restaurant) - Familiarity from dual cross-countries
Common solo cross-country structures:
Triangle route: Home → Airport A (60nm) → Airport B (50nm) → Home (60nm) = 170nm
Out-and-back with a leg: Home → Airport A (75nm) → Airport B (50nm) → Home (75nm) = 200nm
The planning process
1. Weather analysis (start 24 hours before)
Check: - Area forecast - Terminal area forecast (TAF) for all airports - Winds aloft - SIGMETS/AIRMETS - Radar and satellite imagery
Make go/no-go decision at least 2 hours before flight.
2. Navigation planning
For each leg: - Plot course on sectional - Measure true course - Calculate magnetic course - Determine magnetic heading (wind correction) - Identify checkpoints every 10-15 miles - Note landmarks, navaids, airports
3. Performance calculations
Calculate: - Takeoff distance required - Climb performance - Cruise performance - Fuel burn per leg - Total fuel required (+ reserves) - Landing distance required
4. Communication planning
Write down frequencies: - ATIS/AWOS for all airports - Ground and Tower for all airports - Departure/Approach if applicable - Flight Watch - Flight Service
Pro tip: Create a communication card with all frequencies and expected calls written out.
Pre-flight briefing with CFI
Your CFI will review: - Weather analysis and go/no-go decision - Navigation log and planning - Performance calculations - Emergency procedures - Communication plan
CFI will check: - Student pilot certificate - Medical certificate - Logbook endorsements - Aircraft logbooks and airworthiness
Then CFI will provide solo cross-country endorsement in your logbook.
Departure airport communications
Getting ATIS/AWOS
"[Airport] Automated Weather, Information [Letter]."
Write down: - Winds - Visibility - Ceiling - Altimeter - Active runway - Remarks
Ground control
"[Airport] Ground, Cessna 1234 Bravo at [location] with [ATIS letter], VFR to [destination], request taxi."
Ground: "Cessna 34 Bravo, taxi to runway [XX] via [taxiways]."
You: "Taxi runway [XX] via [taxiways], Cessna 34 Bravo."
Tower - ready for departure
"[Airport] Tower, Cessna 1234 Bravo, runway [XX], ready for departure, [direction] departure."
Tower: "Cessna 34 Bravo, runway [XX], cleared for takeoff, [direction] turn approved."
You: "Cleared for takeoff runway [XX], [direction] turn approved, Cessna 34 Bravo."
En route communications
Flight following (highly recommended)
About 5-10 miles from departure:
"[Center/Approach], Cessna 1234 Bravo, request."
ATC: "Cessna 1234 Bravo, [Facility], go ahead."
You: "Cessna 1234 Bravo is [location], [altitude], VFR to [destination], request flight following."
ATC: "Cessna 34 Bravo, squawk [code]."
Now you have traffic advisories and emergency backup for your entire flight.
Position reports (if not using flight following)
Make position reports every 30 minutes or when crossing significant waypoints.
On CTAF or to FSS: "[Facility], Cessna 1234 Bravo, position report."
Then: "Cessna 1234 Bravo is over [waypoint] at [time], [altitude], VFR to [destination], estimating [next waypoint] at [time]."
Arriving at first destination
Getting ATIS
10-15 miles out, get destination ATIS.
Calling Tower
"[Airport] Tower, Cessna 1234 Bravo, 12 miles [direction], [altitude], inbound for landing with Information [letter]."
Tower: "Cessna 1234 Bravo, [Airport] Tower, enter [pattern instructions]."
You: "[Pattern instructions], Cessna 34 Bravo."
Landing and taxi
After landing and clearing runway:
"[Airport] Tower, Cessna 34 Bravo, clear of runway [XX]."
Tower: "Cessna 34 Bravo, taxi to [parking/transient] via [taxiways], contact Ground point nine."
Or Tower might just clear you to parking directly.
At the destination airport
What to do on the ground:
- Shutdown checklist
- Secure aircraft
- Check weather for next leg
- Get something to drink/eat if needed
- Walk around and inspect aircraft
- Review navigation for next leg
- Take a photo (document your accomplishment!)
Don't rush. Take your time. This is your solo cross-country - enjoy it.
Before departing
Update: - Weather - ATIS/AWOS - Navigation plan (any heading changes due to wind shift)
Departing for second leg
Same process as departure from home airport: 1. Get ATIS 2. Call Ground for taxi 3. Run-up 4. Call Tower for departure 5. Request flight following if desired
Returning home
About 15 miles out
Get home airport ATIS.
Calling Tower
"[Home Airport] Tower, Cessna 1234 Bravo, 15 miles [direction], [altitude], inbound for landing, full stop, with Information [letter]."
Tower: "Cessna 1234 Bravo, [Home Airport] Tower, enter [pattern instructions], runway [XX]."
After landing
Taxi in
After clearing the runway, contact Ground or follow Tower instructions to taxi back.
Securing aircraft
Complete shutdown checklist and secure the aircraft.
Post-flight with CFI
Debrief will cover:
- Overall experience - how did it feel?
- Navigation accuracy - how close were your estimates?
- Communication - any issues or questions?
- Weather decisions - did conditions match forecast?
- Time management - did everything go as planned?
- Lessons learned - what would you do differently?
Logbook entry
CFI will review your logbook entry and ensure: - All required information is logged - Airports visited are documented - Solo cross-country time is correctly logged - Solo PIC time is logged
Celebration
This is a huge achievement! Many flight schools have a tradition of cutting your shirt tail or other celebrations.
Enjoy this moment - you've earned it.
Common challenges and how to handle them
Challenge #1: Getting lost
If you're uncertain of position: 1. Circle and orient to last known position 2. Contact ATC or FSS for assistance 3. Use navigation aids (VOR, GPS if available) 4. Don't panic - time is on your side
Communication: "[ATC], Cessna 34 Bravo, request assistance with position."
Challenge #2: Weather deteriorating
If weather worsens: 1. Avoid flying into IMC 2. Land at nearest suitable airport 3. Call CFI to discuss options 4. Don't continue if unsafe
Communication: "[Tower], Cessna 34 Bravo, requesting immediate landing due to weather."
Challenge #3: Radio failure
If radio fails: 1. Squawk 7600 2. Continue VFR flight 3. Enter pattern and watch for light gun signals 4. Land safely, then call Tower
Challenge #4: Tired or overwhelmed
If you feel fatigued: 1. Land at next airport 2. Take a break 3. Assess if you should continue 4. Call CFI if needed
Never push through fatigue. Safe pilots know when to stop.
Tips for success
1. Over-prepare
Plan more than you think necessary. Write everything down.
2. Write out radio calls
Have communication cards ready with frequencies and example calls.
3. Use flight following
It provides peace of mind and an extra layer of safety.
4. Practice beforehand
Apps like ATC One let you practice all the radio calls for your specific route before you fly.
5. Don't rush
Take your time at each airport. This isn't a race.
6. Take photos
Document the experience - you'll want to remember this flight forever.
7. Trust your training
You've been prepared for this. Trust your CFI and trust yourself.
Conclusion
Your first solo cross-country is a defining moment in your aviation journey. It's where you prove to yourself that you can plan, navigate, communicate, and fly safely without assistance.
Approach it with thorough preparation, execute it with confidence, and enjoy every moment.
Action item: If you haven't done your solo cross-country yet, start planning now. Choose your airports, create your navigation log, and write out your communication plan. When the day comes, you'll be ready.