What counts as cross country time under EASA

The EASA definition of a cross country flight, why it differs from the FAA 50 nautical mile rule, and how the distance rules for licences work.

The short answer

EASA defines cross country as a flight between a point of departure and a point of arrival following a pre planned route, using standard navigation procedures. There is no general minimum distance. Specific licences then add their own qualifying flights with a set distance.

The flights with a distance attached

• PPL(A): one solo cross country of at least 270 km (150 NM), with full stop landings at two aerodromes other than the departure aerodrome
• LAPL(A): one solo cross country of at least 150 km (80 NM), with one full stop landing at an aerodrome other than the departure aerodrome
• CPL(A): one VFR cross country as PIC of at least 540 km (300 NM), with full stop landings at two aerodromes other than the departure aerodrome

How the FAA differs

Under FAA Part 61, cross country time for most aeronautical experience requirements needs a landing at a point more than 50 nautical miles in a straight line from the original departure point. If you hold or plan both licences, it is worth recording the distance as well as the route.

Where caeloo fits

caeloo stores the route as ICAO codes, so qualifying flights are easy to find when the examiner asks for them, and cross country time counts straight into licence progress.