Today, it was quite hazy and the plane just received a new engine so we weren't to do any touch and goes. So, we started the Cross Country training.

We discussed when to close a flight plan. The flight plan is a document which identifies your intended route of flight and if you don't arrive at your destination on time, someone will come looking for you. It is best to close a flight plan on the ground, after landing, to ensure that you are safe on the ground. Closing a flight plan in the air might be necessary if communications cannot occur on the ground but the plan should only be closed when the airport can be made.

CFIT is controlled flight into terrain. This is when a pilot flies into low visibility and doesn't have time to make a turn away from terrain. This usually means the pilot failed to monitor altitude with respect to ground obstaces and had a lack of route knowledge.

Airport Signage is covered in the AIM, 2-3-1, and is helpful to ensure that pilots don't end up in the wrong place at the wrong time such as a runway incursion. Such an incursion could result in risk to aircraft and people.

Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) includes doing those things in preparation of what is coming. Having the appropriate charts ready and in order for the route of flight, writing down the appropriate frequencies, etc. are things which help keep eyes outside the aircraft and keep the pilot well prepared for what is ahead.

Stall and Spin awareness is necessary to ensure that the pilot knows what will happen when the stall and spin occur and how to correct for it. A spin is a helical turn around a vertical axis. If the wings do not stall at the same time, a spin may occur. For the 172SP, I must follow PRER - Power Off, Rudder opposite of turn, Elevator foward, Recovery. Keeping a most forward CG will allow for easier recovery. Shifting weight to the front during a spin will help in recovery.

ATC procedures for entering Class B airspace includes establishing contact (Potomac Approach, Cessna 976SP), identifying where I'm at (Cessna 976SP is at 3000, 1 mile south of DMW), and where I want to go (request permission to transition Class Bravo airspace direct to BAL).

Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) are requests by ATC to have the aircraft land on a runway but not cross a certain area. Accepting LAHS clearance leaves the pilot responsible for holding short after landing. ATC will let the pilot know how much area is avaialble for landing. If unable to land, a pilot should go around or decline the clearance.

Docments that need to be in the aircraft are the Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, Operating Handbook and Weight and Balance information. Log books are not required unless the pilot is a student and requires the endorsement to be in hand. Required inspections include the annual, 100hr for my rental, ELT, Transponder and VOR.