Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

Is a student eligible to take their practical test if they have completed 3.5 hours of cross-country flight training?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Yes, but the certificate will have an ICAO limitation

4. Only with additional training

The correct answer is: Yes

To determine eligibility for a practical test, it's important to reference the FAA regulations regarding the required flight experience for a student pilot. According to these regulations, a student must complete a minimum of 10 hours of dual flight instruction, which must include at least 5 hours of solo flight time and total cross-country time including at least one cross-country flight of a minimum distance. Having completed 3.5 hours of cross-country flight training is a significant step, but it falls short of meeting the requirement for the overall dual flight instruction and the necessary solo and cross-country experience. Therefore, while the student has made progress, they would not be eligible to take the practical test just based on the 3.5 hours of cross-country training. The correct interpretation of eligibility hinges on the broader scope of flight training requirements, which encompass total flight hours, cross-country experience, and dual instruction. Thus, a student would not meet the criteria to take the practical test solely based on the given amount of cross-country training completed.