P4 — Cross-Country Flying
Cross-Country Flying — turning thermic experience into independent XC judgement
Extreme Flying Club Principle
Training is graduation-based, not day-based. The durations and flight numbers shown are average planning benchmarks, not limits. A student progresses when the required skills, understanding, judgement and flying ability have been demonstrated. Weather, continuity, individual learning pace and retained skills after any training gap can change the actual timeline.
Course Objective
P4 is the cross-country stage. The student learns to combine meteorology, flight planning, route selection, timing and in-air decision-making to progressively extend the range of independent flying.
Average Duration
20–25 days. Highly weather-dependent and dependent on the student's P1–P3 foundation and continuity.
Graduation Benchmark
A 25 km FAI triangle is the benchmark.
Daily Commitment
The student should expect to dedicate approximately 3–4 hours a day to the day's preparation and learning: meteorology, weather interpretation, flight planning, timing, take-off decisions and the elements required to execute a cross-country flight.
Progressive XC Development
Not every day is suitable for a beginner cross-country attempt. Smaller objectives are therefore valuable. Familiar checkpoints and areas such as Mata Maheshwari Tower, the Golf Course and Hanumangarh can be used progressively to build experience, confidence and airtime before attempting the benchmark 25 km FAI triangle.
Pilot-Friendly Schedule Map
| Days | What You Can Expect | What We Are Looking For |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | P3 refresh, ground handling and morning flights if the student has had a gap. | Re-established thermic and decision-making skills. |
| Days 4–6 | Thermic flying plus weather interpretation for the current season. | Ability to connect weather observations with flight decisions. |
| Days 7–9 | XC theory, route thinking and first local objectives. | Understanding of route planning and timing. |
| Days 10–12 | Guided XC development toward familiar checkpoints. | Safe extension of range and growing route awareness. |
| Days 13–15 | Checkpoint progression and guided cross-country decisions. | Better understanding of terrain, weather and route choices. |
| Days 16–18 | Longer XC attempts on suitable days; smaller objectives on unsuitable days. | Increasing independence in planning and in-air decisions. |
| Days 19–21 | Independent planning with instructor observation. | Student increasingly owns the flight plan and timing. |
| Days 22–25 | 25 km FAI triangle attempts when weather and readiness align; consolidation otherwise. | Cross-country judgement and readiness for the benchmark. |
Days 1–3
What You Can Expect
P3 refresh, ground handling and morning flights if the student has had a gap.
What We Are Looking For
Re-established thermic and decision-making skills.
Days 4–6
What You Can Expect
Thermic flying plus weather interpretation for the current season.
What We Are Looking For
Ability to connect weather observations with flight decisions.
Days 7–9
What You Can Expect
XC theory, route thinking and first local objectives.
What We Are Looking For
Understanding of route planning and timing.
Days 10–12
What You Can Expect
Guided XC development toward familiar checkpoints.
What We Are Looking For
Safe extension of range and growing route awareness.
Days 13–15
What You Can Expect
Checkpoint progression and guided cross-country decisions.
What We Are Looking For
Better understanding of terrain, weather and route choices.
Days 16–18
What You Can Expect
Longer XC attempts on suitable days; smaller objectives on unsuitable days.
What We Are Looking For
Increasing independence in planning and in-air decisions.
Days 19–21
What You Can Expect
Independent planning with instructor observation.
What We Are Looking For
Student increasingly owns the flight plan and timing.
Days 22–25
What You Can Expect
25 km FAI triangle attempts when weather and readiness align; consolidation otherwise.
What We Are Looking For
Cross-country judgement and readiness for the benchmark.
This is a typical progression. Weather and individual progress may move activities earlier or later. Graduation is based on demonstrated ability.
P4 is intentionally weather-led. The schedule describes the normal progression of objectives, not a guarantee that a cross-country flight will be attempted on a particular day.
Course Details
Average 20–25 days (graduation-based)
Cross-country development with a 25 km FAI triangle as the benchmark.