Building Cross - Country Time
If part of your next license or rating requirements includes cross country time consider this
- Sign up for dual with your instructor and ask him to Buddy-Up with another pilot needing cross-country time. One pilot to fly one leg of the flight and the other, to fly the next leg. This helps keep the cost down while you are still gaining knowledge and experience.
- Fly to new territories and gain additional levels of confidence. If you are not comfortable doing the trip yourself, check with Al Beckwith to see if a more experienced pilot or CFI would be available to go along.
- Instrument Rating : you may wonder why you should be an instrument
pilot. Consider this :
- Your regular one hour currency flight each month can include 3 instrument approaches including 3 take-offs and 3 landings to a full stop. 2 ILS approaches at CAK and an NDB-GPS or VOR approach back to 1G3
- On an instrument flight, the controller is responsible, not only for aircraft separation, but also to insure you do not violate Active Restricted Airspace.
- You can plan your trips with greater confidence. Aircraft equipped with storm-scope or radar provide more weather information while enroute.
- Flying with IFR approved GPS equipment also provides more detail data that increases your confidence in knowing, not only where you are, but where you can deviate to in case you desire to land at an alternate airport.
- For sure - A pilot that only flies 50 to 75 hours per year can be current and enjoy more of the flexibility an aircraft provides in saving time and giving additional insurance that you will complete your trip on time, and safely.