That response solidifies what I said earlier. CFIs are not gods, and get an awful lot wrong. They are humans, and as such, are likely regurgitating something they heard from their CFI. Those CFIs then touch hundreds of students, passing along bad information to each, some of which become CFIs who touch hundreds of students....so on.
That is why it is so important to read the regs before interpreting them, rather than relying on something you were told.
The reg in question - 61.1(b)(3)(ii): (emphasis below mine)
(ii) For the purpose of meeting the aeronautical experience requirements (except for a rotorcraft category rating), for a private pilot certificate (except for a powered parachute category rating), a commercial pilot certificate, or an instrument rating, or for the purpose of exercising recreational pilot privileges (except in a rotorcraft) under § 61.101 (c), time acquired during a flight—
(A) Conducted in an appropriate aircraft;
(B) That includes a point of landing that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(C) That involves the use of dead reckoning, pilotage, electronic navigation aids, radio aids, or other navigation systems to navigate to the landing point.
Yes, if you fly 51nm to another airport, and do 30 T&Gs, then return home, the entire flight, including the T&Gs are cross country.
