Who Signs Off Student Solo Cross-Country Flights?

Solo cross country experience builds both skill and confidence. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Question: I am a student pilot about to embark on solo cross-country flights. The CFI who soloed me started another job, so he isn't around on weekends when I can fly. I know a CFI has to review my flight plan and sign me off before I launch on a solo cross-country, but does it have to be the same CFI who soloed me?

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Answer: As long as you have a valid 90-day solo endorsement and the initial cross-country endorsement (cFAR 61.93(c)(1) and 61.93 (2), which states that you have met the applicable requirements of 61.93 and are proficient to make solo cross-country flights in a (insert make and model here), any current CFI can review your flight plan and give you the endorsement for that particular solo cross-country flight.

The CFI who reviews your flight plan will ask questions about the routing you select, the landmarks you choose for pilotage and dead reckoning, and, of course, about the weather. Some CFIs add the caveat "weather checked as of [insert time]."

Read the endorsement carefully. Make sure to note which airports you can land at.

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Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.