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VFR Cross Country Flight Planning Checklist

2.  Get the equipment you'll need

• VFR Sectional Chart(s). You'll want up to date charts that cover the route you'll be flying.
• Airport Facility Directory (A/FD). You'll need this to find all the detailed information on the airports you'll be flying to. It must be a current version as they are published every 56 days.
• Plotter. We'll need to measure courses on our charts so we'll need a plotter.
• Flight Computer. I recommend a basic E-6B rather than the electronic type.  If you pull out an electronic E-6B, the examiner will probably take your batteries.  So either bring a 2nd set (see how that flies) or learn the basic E-6B.
  
• Navigation Log. You can buy these at FBOs and various pilot stores, there are versions available on the Web and lot's of FBOs have flight planning logs just hanging around for you to pick up and use. At a minimum your Navigation Log needs to include spaces for Course, Heading, Distance, Time and Fuel.
• Kneeboard. You need a way of organizing the information in the cockpit and and something to rest on when you're updating your navigation log. I suggest either a simple strap on knee board or go to a stationary supply store and buy an 8x11 clip board, some extra clips and some foam to stick on the back so it doesn't slip.
• Pencils and Eraser. You're going to be writing stuff down during the trip.  That's multiple pencils by the way, don't bring one, break it, and then ask what to do next.

• Let’s face it, the better equipped your aircraft, the easier the trip.  Things like autopilots, GPS equipment, radar, and storm scope/strikefinder equipment only assist you in safely arriving at your destination.
• Additional handheld equipment such as a radio & GPS.
• Consider purchasing the Carbon Monoxide Detector.  This is the card or sticker with the spot that turns brown when CO is present.
• Aircraft supplies:  tow bar, oil, tie down ropes.
• Pilot organization:  extra pens, flashlights, a kneeboard, spare batteries, and failed instrument covers.  Consider a laptop with flight planning software and an external GPS antenna which can be a great backup for lost/destroyed charts or a broken (installed) GPS.
• Winter flights:  Extra clothing such as baggy sweatpants to put over your clothing to add extra warmth.  Bring another jacket to hang over the back of the seat to put on quickly if necessary.  See Simple Rules for Winter Flight for practical tips on Winter Flying.
• Over water flights:  Large black garbage bags to get into (preserves body heat), life jackets with strobes, and an inflatable raft.  See article: Ten Commandments for Overwater Flight
• Things you never want to use:  first aid kit and survival gear such as an axe, matches, signaling mirror, etc.
• Personal comfort:  medications, chewing gum, small snacks & water, spare sunglasses and/or eyeglasses, cell phone and/or calling card.
• Happiness items:  favorite book, camera, extra cash.

1. Verify you have current charts.
2. Obtain the departure and destination information from the AF/D
3. Draw the airports, runway length/width, runway numbers, pattern altitude, and traffic pattern on your nav log.
4. Notate all frequencies to be used on your nav log.
   
5. Draw your course on the Sectional chart.
6. Measure your True Course.
7. Identify Visual Checkpoints and mark them on the chart - about one every 7-10 miles is good.
8. Put the Checkpoints on your Navigation log.
9. Measure the distances between the checkpoints and enter that on the nav log.
10. Notate magnetic variation and compass deviation figures on your nav log.
    
11. Get an outlook weather briefing from the FSS.
12. Emergency planning
• What if you can't complete the flight as you planned it?
• Enroute weather changes?
• Lost communications plan? 
  
• What if you get lost?
• Fuel emergency?  Off airport landing?
• Equipment emergency: what's your backup plan?
  

1. Compute a weight & balance, considering fuel.
   
2. Very thorough pre-flight, especially checking oil and cleaning the windows.
3. Obtain a standard weather briefing from the FSS.
   
4. Determine cruising altitude...
1. Winds aloft (FD report)
2. Base of the clouds.
3. Length of the trip
4. Airspace requirements
5. VFR Cruising altitude rules
5. Determine Wind Correction Angle (WCA) from Winds Aloft
   
6. Calculate True Headings (with WCA), Magnetic Headings (Variation), Compass Headings (Deviation)
   
7. Calculate True Airspeed, Ground Speed, Fuel Usage, RPM Settings from POH
   
8. Determine the Time between checkpoints.
9. Determine the Fuel used between checkpoints.
10. Determine if fuel is adequate for the trip, including reserves.
11. Review any en-route ATC services.
12. Prepare and file a VFR flight plan.
13. Develop an alternate plan in case you can't complete this one.
14. Obtain logbook endorsement from your CFI if this is a solo cross country.
15. Work up a Personal Minimums Checklist (download)

Which airports you choose to is up to you. Obviously your CFI will have some recommendations and you may find that there are some airports your CFI might veto (for example you won't be getting a sign-off for repeated trips unless there's a good reason for it). Make sure you've discussed your airport choices with your CFI before you go to the trouble of planning a flight that might not be appropriate.

• It's considered the best practice for VFR cross country flight planning.
• You'll be expected to perform cross-country flight planning on your check ride.
• You'll use the same method when you make long cross-country flights to determine the maximum capabilities of your aircraft.  How far, how long, how much, how high, and what airport.
  

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