Plan a Cross Country Airplane Trip
Learning how to fly can be one of the most exciting and liberating activities available. If you're learning how to plan a cross-country airplane trip, though, there is a significant amount of additional preparation and planning required. Read the following article for information about that planning process from what directories and equipment should be purchased to tips for a safe flight.
Steps
- Purchase an Airport Facility Directory (AFD).
- This book contains all relevant information for a pilot, including topographical layouts of airports, runway lengths, frequency for communication between the airport tower and you, and more.
- If you're a novice flier or you are entirely unfamiliar with your intended route, you will have to plan an airplane trip much more thoroughly and carefully. If, however, you're very experienced or intimately familiar with your route, less planning and preparation will be needed.
- From there, adjust your direct route according to geographic barriers or limitations of your plane.
- Determine your level of flying ability and your familiarity with the route.
- Plan your starting point and ending point. Draw a straight line between the two. This is your most direct route.
- Break the direct route into several more manageable legs, if necessary.
- The length of each leg will depend on your piloting skill and the capabilities of your plane.
- High altitude flying, for example, may require oxygen for you and any other passengers.
- Obtain supplemental equipment that will be required according to your final flight plan.
- Research to ensure every break point has proper rest services. This includes fuel for the plane, restaurants or food for you and your passengers, bathroom facilities and anything else you, your passengers, or your plane will need between flights.
- Double check that your destination stop has access to hotels or lodging. Also check that there are taxis or rental car services to get you from the airport to those areas.
- Weather and other unforeseen events can alter your flight plan en route. Always have a secondary airport at which to land in case your first is experiencing difficulties, or you can't get there for any other reason.
- Find backup stops for every leg of the flight.
- Consult with fellow pilots to review and finalize your flight plan.
- The pilot community is relatively small, and other pilots with more experience are invaluable resources. Have several pilots look over your plan and offer tips and suggestions specific to the terrain and path you'll encounter.
- Note all airports you intend to use, runway dimensions, communication frequencies, and more on your navigation log.
- Call a Flight Service Station (FSS) before departing for your flight. A FSS offers a wide range of services and briefings which could be relevant to your flight. This includes weather conditions.
- The specific services offered by a FSS differ from country to country, but regardless of the country, they are available to contact before, during and after a flight.
- Check your plane for weight, balance, fuel, oil and overall readiness.
- File your official flight plan.
Tips
- The Airport Facility Directory (AFD) is published once every 56 days. Make sure you have the most current version before you start to plan a cross-country trip.
- Visit www.AOPA.org/airports or www.AirNav.com. Both sites provide detailed information about available airports and available airport services.
- Before you take an airplane trip, determine the fuel range of your airplane. Use the most conservative estimates possible.
- When terrain and other factors permit, start with the longest legs first. You will be most alert and rested for these. As the day progresses, take shorter and shorter flights with longer rest periods between.
Warnings
- Don't forget to factor in high altitude barriers such as mountains in your flight plan. Determine if your plane can handle altitude high enough to fly over them or if you'll need to fly around.
Things You'll Need
- Airport Facility Directory (AFD)
- Airplane
- Detailed flight plan
- Plotter
- Current charts and maps
- Navigation log
- Navigation equipment or GPS
