Each cross-country flight must include a landing:

For a flight to be classified as a cross-country flight for the purpose of pilot training and certification, it must meet specific distance criteria. A landing that is more than 50 nautical miles from the original departure point is a key requirement. This distance criterion ensures that pilots are exposed to the complexities of navigation and flight planning over longer distances, which are essential skills for a private pilot.

The regulation emphasizes that by requiring a landing beyond this distance, pilots gain experience in a variety of operational environments and conditions, which contributes to their overall proficiency. Landings within the 50 nautical mile range do not typically require the same level of navigation and flight planning, thereby not categorizing the flight as cross-country.

This requirement is part of the regulatory framework established by the FAA to ensure that pilot candidates are adequately trained and prepared for different flight scenarios they may encounter in the real world.