Definition
A written record prepared by the pilot for a specific flight that lists the planned route, checkpoints, headings, distances, estimated and actual times, fuel burn, altitudes, frequencies, and other operational data needed to navigate and monitor the flight from departure to destination.
Plain English
A worksheet the pilot fills out before and during a flight to keep track of the route, the time, the fuel, and the radio settings, so nothing important is left to memory.
Context Anchor
Used during preflight planning and before engine start to keep the route, timing, fuel, frequencies, and clearance notes organized before the airplane moves.
Derivation
From 'log,' originally a piece of wood (the 'chip log') trailed from a ship to measure speed, which led to the 'logbook' kept by sailors. A flight log carries the same idea into aviation: a running written record of the journey.
Why Pilots Care
Provides the accurate flight time totals required for certificate currency, insurance, and aircraft maintenance tracking.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse a flight log with the aircraft’s maintenance logbook or with a diary written after landing. In this context, it is the working record the pilot uses to plan and track the specific flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before engine start, she reviewed her flight log one more time to confirm the first heading, the cruise altitude, and the departure frequency.
Example Sentence 2
After the lesson the student completed the flight log entry noting the instrument approaches flown.