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Cross-Country Flight
A flight that includes a landing at a point other than the point of departure, with specific distance and landing criteria depending on the certificate or rating. Private pilot night training and instrument rating experience both include defined cross-country requirements that must be correctly logged.
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Learn more in Private Pilot License →Related Terms
- CrosswindA wind component that blows perpendicular to the aircraft's direction of travel, particularly relevant during takeoff and landing. Pilots use specific techniques (crab method or wing-low method) to compensate for crosswind conditions.
- CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency)The frequency used by pilots to announce position and intentions at nontowered airports. CTAF communications help aircraft maintain traffic awareness in the pattern and on the ground when no control tower is operating.
- Dead ReckoningA navigation method where the pilot calculates their current position by using a previously determined position, then advancing that position based on known speed, elapsed time, and course. It's a fundamental piloting skill used alongside electronic navigation.
- Dew PointThe temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure for saturation to occur. ATIS, ASOS, and AWOS reports include temperature and dew point; a small temperature-dew-point spread often signals possible fog, low ceilings, or carburetor icing risk.