> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.waderaviation.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.waderaviation.com/reference/cross-country-time.md).

# Cross-Country Time

Cross-country is a **property of the flight**, not a time you calculate. In Wader you tick the **Cross-Country** checkbox on a flight, and the whole block time for that flight counts towards your cross-country total.

Because the definition differs between EASA and the FAA, Wader leaves the decision to you rather than guessing.

## Setting it once, in Preferences

If most of your flying is cross-country, set **Preferences → Cross-country default** to on. New flights prefill with your choice, and you can still change it on any individual flight.

{% hint style="info" %}
Changing the default only affects new flights. Existing entries stay as they are.
{% endhint %}

## What counts as cross-country

### EASA

**FCL.010** defines a cross-country flight as a flight between a point of departure and a point of arrival following a **pre-planned route**, using **standard navigation procedures**.

That means:

* There is **no minimum distance** in the definition itself.
* The arrival aerodrome does **not** have to be different from the departure one — an A-to-A navigation exercise can qualify.
* Circuit training and unplanned local flying do **not** qualify.

### FAA

Under **14 CFR § 61.1(b)(3)** the flight must include a **landing at a point other than the departure point**, using navigation. For most certificates and ratings that landing point must be **more than 50 NM straight-line from the original point of departure**; for rotorcraft ratings the threshold is **more than 25 NM**.

The distance is measured from where **that logbook entry** started, not leg by leg. Splitting one flight into several entries does not create cross-country distance that was not there.

|                        | EASA                                    | FAA                                   |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Basis                  | Pre-planned route + standard navigation | Landing away from the departure point |
| Minimum distance       | None in the definition                  | >50 NM (>25 NM rotorcraft)            |
| A-to-A flights         | Can qualify                             | Do not qualify                        |
| Distance measured from | Not applicable                          | Original point of departure           |

## Distance requirements come from the licence, not the definition

This is the part that trips up most student pilots. The cross-country *definition* sets no distance — the *licence requirement* does. Under EASA Part-FCL:

| Licence     | Cross-country requirement                                                                                                                                              |
| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **PPL(A)**  | 5 hours solo cross-country, including one flight of at least **270 km (150 NM)** with full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome      |
| **CPL(A)**  | 20 hours cross-country as PIC, including a VFR flight of at least **540 km (300 NM)** with full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the departure aerodrome |
| **ATPL(A)** | 200 hours cross-country, of which at least 100 as PIC or PICUS                                                                                                         |

{% hint style="warning" %}
Confirm the current figures with your ATO or national authority before relying on them. Requirements differ between integrated and modular courses, and national variations exist.
{% endhint %}

## Combining with your pilot function

Cross-country is independent of the function you log. A flight can be cross-country and PIC, SIC, Dual, [PICUS](/reference/picus-time.md) or SPIC at the same time — tick the checkbox whichever function you selected.

## Recording the detail

For flights you intend to count towards a specific licence requirement, use the **Remarks** field to note the routing, the landing aerodromes and the distance. If those hours are ever questioned at a licence application or a job interview, the evidence is already in your logbook.

{% hint style="info" %}
Some national authorities still expect ATPL cross-country experience to be evidenced in a physical logbook. Check with your competent authority before relying on an electronic record alone.
{% endhint %}

## References

* [EASA Easy Access Rules for Flight Crew Licencing (Part-FCL)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-flight-crew-licensing-regulation-eu-no-11782011) — FCL.010, FCL.210.A, FCL.510.A, Appendix 3
* [14 CFR § 61.1 — Applicability and definitions](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.1)