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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/sport-airplane-xc-75

How long must the solo cross-country be for an airplane sport pilot certificate?

At least 75 nautical miles total distance.

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  1. 50 nautical miles
  2. 75 nautical miles ✔
  3. 100 nautical miles

Why: Section 61.313 requires one solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance for a single-engine airplane. It needs full-stop landings at two or more points, with one leg of at least 25 nautical miles.

Huh, didn't know that: The same section also needs 2 hours of cross-country instructor training and 10 full-stop takeoffs and landings.

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Why did the student pilot love cross-country? It was a real stretch of the imagination.
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References

Answer: 75 nautical miles. Section 61.313 requires one solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance for a single-engine airplane. It needs full-stop landings at two or more points, with one leg of at least 25 nautical miles.

  1. 14 CFR 61.313, Sport pilot aeronautical experience (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/api/renderer/v1/content/enhanced/current/title-14?part=61&section=61.313
    One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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