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3 Answers

Useing all available X/C time for the IR

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Instrument Rating

Can the solo X/C time prior to the PPL be used to satisfy the 50 hrs. X/C time required for the Instrument Rating? (part 61). How about the 250 miler in the IR rating training?

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3 Answers



  1. LTCTerry on Apr 14, 2021

    FAR 61.65 – “Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane;”

    Solo time as a student is not PIC XC. So. No, it doesn’t count.

    FAR 61.65 – “A flight of 250 nautical miles along airways or by directed routing from an air traffic control facility;”

    Yes. This counts.

    The dual and solo XC requirements for the commercial certificate also count towards the 50 hours required for IFR and Commercial. Read the requirements for what you want to do, and work towards meeting them as early as possible.

    Good luck!

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  2. LTCTerry on Apr 14, 2021

    I thought I could edit my answer above. I don’t see that I can. Solo student time is PIC. Dual XC student time is not.

    Once rated dual time is also logged as PIC. (Though many other countries only allow for one or the other.)

    Sorry for confusion!

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  3. Mark Kolber on Apr 14, 2021

    @LTCTerry, I’ve come across the lack of ability to edit answers here too. It’s too bad,

    @Mackey, just so it’s clear, yes, your student solo cross country time counts toward the 50 hour cross country PIC requirement.

    And yes, so long as it is in an aircraft you are rated for (I assume ASEL in your case), so do post private certificate dual cross country flights, including the required IFR dual cross country.

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