PLOG (Pilot Log) — Summary
The PLOG (pilot log or navigation log) is the written flight plan for a VFR cross-country leg. The full treatment is in Subject 030 Flight Performance and Planning; here is a navigation-oriented short version.
Purpose
A PLOG shows per leg all navigation-relevant quantities, so the pilot in the cockpit only needs to compare and not calculate.
Structure (standard columns)
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Leg no. | 1, 2, 3, … |
| From → To | waypoint identifier |
| TT (True Track) | measured from chart |
| TAS | from POH (for chosen cruise altitude and power) |
| Wind (from / kt) | from TAF / GAFOR / WINTEM |
| WCA | wind correction angle from E6B / app |
| TH (True Heading) | TT + WCA |
| Var | from chart |
| MH (Magnetic Heading) | TH − Var (east) or TH + Var (west) |
| Dev | from compass card |
| CH (Compass Heading) | MH − Dev (E) / + Dev (W) |
| GS | TAS modified by HW/TW component |
| Dist (NM) | from chart |
| Time (min) | Dist × 60 / GS |
| Fuel (USG/l) | Time × fuel flow |
| Cum Time / Cum Fuel | summed across all legs |
To complete pre-flight
- Draw the chart: route line, mark each waypoint, note airspaces and MEFs.
- Measure TT, Dist per leg.
- Enter TAS, fuel flow from POH for chosen altitude and RPM.
- Wind from TAF/GAFOR/WINTEM for each leg.
- Calculate WCA, GS, Time, Fuel (E6B or app).
- MH, CH including variation and deviation.
- Totals (total time, total fuel) → cross-check with fuel plan.
To track in flight
- Position updates every 10–15 min compared with expected waypoint times.
- GS computed from actual time between waypoints → verify wind correction.
- ETA destination recomputed each time.
- Fuel at end of each leg checked against plan.
Sample PLOG line
code
LEG: 1 EDDM → Erding (RND)
TT: 052° Dist: 18 NM
TAS: 100 kt Wind: 240/15 → WCA: +6° TH: 058°
Var: 3°E → MH: 055° Dev: −1° → CH: 056°
GS: 113 kt Time: 9.6 min ≈ 10 min Fuel: 1.5 USG
ETA: 1310Z (off-block 1300Z + 10)
Cross-references
- Detailed PLOG templates, mass & balance, performance charts: Subject 030.
- Wind calculations: Subject 060 Lesson "Wind Triangle".
- Chart scale and plotter use: Subject 060 Lesson "Scales".
- Compass variation/deviation: Subject 060 Lesson "Direction".
- Legal fuel reserves: Subject 060 Lesson "Fuel — Time and Quantity".