The flight log (PLOG, Pilot's Log) is a structured worksheet for route navigation. Standard tool for VFR cross-country, filled before flight, updated in flight.
Columns per leg (typical)
| Column | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| From / To | Leg endpoints | Route planning |
| TT (True Track) | True heading from chart | Chart (ICAO 1 000) |
| WCA (Wind Correction Angle) | Wind correction | CRP-5/E6B |
| TH (True Heading) | = TT − WCA | Calculation |
| Variation | Local variation | Chart (isogons) |
| MH (Magnetic Heading) | = TH ± variation | Calculation |
| Deviation | Compass correction | Compass card |
| CH (Compass Heading) | = MH ± deviation — value to fly | Calculation |
| Distance | Leg length in NM | Chart |
| TAS | True airspeed | AFM cruise table |
| Wind (direction / speed) | Forecast wind | GAFOR / upper wind chart |
| GS (Ground Speed) | Resulting ground speed | CRP-5/E6B |
| Leg time | Distance / GS × 60 | Calculation |
| ETO (Estimated Time Over) | Expected time at leg end | Sum of leg times |
| ATO (Actual Time Over) | Actual time at leg end | Enter in flight |
| Leg fuel | Consumption this leg | TAS × leg time × fuel flow |
| Remaining fuel | Block fuel − consumed | Calculation + cross-check |
Filled before flight
- All columns above except ATO.
- Block fuel and final reserve noted.
- Waypoint coordinates / IDs.
- Emergency frequencies / contacts.
Updated in flight
- ATO at each checkpoint.
- GS correction when ATO ≠ ETO (wind different from forecast).
- Remaining fuel cross-checked with cockpit.
- Weather at each checkpoint.
PLOG vs ICAO flight plan
PLOG (Pilot's Log) is the pilot-internal worksheet for cockpit navigation. The ICAO flight plan (FPL) is the official notice to ATC and contains different fields:
| PLOG | ICAO Flight Plan (FPL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Cockpit navigation | ATC notice, SAR cover |
| Recipient | The pilot | ATC/AIS |
| Form | Leg table | Standard fields 7–19 |
| Detail | Very high (TT, WCA, GS, leg fuel) | Summary (cruise speed, level, EET) |
| Mandatory | Recommended (best practice) | Yes, for filed flights |
ICAO flight plan — speed is TAS
In the ICAO flight plan, Field 15 (Cruise Speed and Level), the speed is entered as True Airspeed (TAS) — not IAS, not ground speed.
Format: letter (unit) + 4-digit number (value).
- N0110 = 110 kt TAS (unit "N" = knots).
- K0210 = 210 km/h TAS (unit "K" = kilometers per hour).
- M082 = Mach 0.82 (high-performance jet).
Reason: TAS is the airmass-relative speed and gives ATC the correct ETA calculation independent of altitude and wind (ATC uses its own wind models for GS).
Cruise level in the flight plan
The same Field 15 follows the cruise level:
- F095 = Flight Level 95 (FL095).
- A055 = 5500 ft AMSL (altitude in 100 ft, "A" for altitude above QNH).
- VFR = VFR cruise (no fixed level, pilot picks per semicircular rule).
Semicircular rule — VFR cruising level
The VFR semicircular rule (SERA.5005 (b)) is based on Magnetic Course (MC) — not True Course:
| Magnetic Course | Level |
|---|---|
| 0° – 179° (eastern half) | odd thousand ft + 500 ft: 3500, 5500, 7500, 9500, 11 500 … |
| 180° – 359° (western half) | even thousand ft + 500 ft: 4500, 6500, 8500, 10 500 … |
Applies above 3000 ft AMSL or 1000 ft AGL (whichever higher).
Example — finding lowest flight level
Given:
- True Course (TC) = 181°
- Variation = 3° East
Calculation:
- With east variation: Magnetic Course = True Course − variation → MC = 181° − 3° = 178°.
- MC 178° falls into the eastern half (0°–179°) → odd thousand ft + 500 applies.
- The lowest possible VFR cruise level is FL055 (= 5500 ft, i.e. odd 5 + 500).
Mnemonic "East is least, West is best": with east variation magnetic < true; with west variation magnetic > true.
AIP VFR Section ENR
Details on types, contents, form and procedures of flight plans are documented in the AIP VFR, Section ENR (En-route). The pilot consults the national AIP for specifics:
- AIP Germany ENR 1.10 (Flight Plans).
- AIP-VFR Germany ENR (flight plan filing).
Digital alternatives
Apps like SkyDemon, ForeFlight, EasyVFR generate the PLOG automatically and update live with GPS. Important: still carry a paper plan (or offline-capable tablet) — battery failure is real.