Knowing about endorsements you're giving or receiving is essential. If you're an instructor, you need to be well informed about what you're signing and where your student is flying. And as a student, you should know what is going on in YOUR logbook.

With so many regulations and changes it can be easy to get confused. So in this article, we'll streamline solo cross-country endorsements.

Knowing Your Resources

Your best resource for questions about pilot endorsements is Advisory Circular 61-65. At the time of writing, it's AC 61-65H, but check to make sure a new one hasn't been issued.

Requirements For Solo Student Cross Countries

As your prepare to sign off a student for their solo cross-country, their training will be guided by 61.93 (e) (assuming ASEL). At the very least you are required to train them on:

1. Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage and dead reckoning with the aid of a magnetic compass;
2. Use of aircraft performance charts pertaining to cross-country flight;
3. Procurement and analysis of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts, including recognition of critical weather situations and estimating visibility while in flight;
4. Emergency procedures;
5. Traffic pattern procedures that include area departure, area arrival, entry into the traffic pattern, and approach;
6. Procedures and operating practices for collision avoidance, wake turbulence precautions, and windshear avoidance;
7. Recognition, avoidance, and operational restrictions of hazardous terrain features in the geographical area where the cross-country flight will be flown;
8. Procedures for operating the instruments and equipment installed in the aircraft to be flown, including recognition and use of the proper operational procedures and indications;
9. Use of radios for VFR navigation and two-way communication, except that a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate must only receive and log flight training on the use of radios installed in the aircraft to be flown;
10. Takeoff, approach, and landing procedures, including short-field, soft-field, and crosswind takeoffs, approaches, and landings;
11. Climbs at best angle and best rate; and
12. Control and maneuvering solely by reference to flight instruments, including straight and level flight, turns, descents, climbs, use of radio aids, and ATC directives. For student pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate, the provisions of this paragraph only apply when receiving training for cross-country flight in an airplane that has a VH greater than 87 knots CAS.

Required Instructor Actions

There are several limitations to student solo cross country flights that are described in 61.93 (c), and as a flight instructor you'll be responsible for ensuring that:

1. The student's cross-country planning is correct for the flight;
2. Reviewed the current and forecast weather conditions and has determined that the flight can be completed under VFR;
3. Determined that the student is proficient to conduct the flight safely;
4. Determined that the student has the appropriate solo cross-country endorsement for the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and
5. Determined that the student's solo flight endorsement is current for the make and model aircraft to be flown.

Endorsements Required

Now that you've provided sufficient training, reviewed their flight planning, and determined the flight can be conducted safely, it's time to endorse the student.

• Basic Solo Endorsements
• Solo Cross-Country Flight Endorsement for Category & Make/Model 61.93 (c)(1)(2)
• Solo Cross-Country Flight Planning Endorsement for each specific flight 61.93 (c)(3)

If you'd like to add any limitations to your student's solo cross-country operations, you would add them under the 61.93(c)(3) endorsement.

To find samples of these endorsements, use 'Appendix A' of the most recent edition of AC 61-65.

Recordkeeping

Students need to keep their endorsements to exercise the privileges they are endorsed for. As a student pilot flying a solo cross-country flight you legally have to carry your logbook with your endorsements while flying (FAR 61.51 (i)(2)).

As an instructor, you'll want to keep a record of who you've endorsed for solo flights as well as the date for at least 3 years (FAR 61.189 (b)(c)).

With so many regulations, endorsements can be intimidating. But by using the regs as a checklist, you can stay legal.