Your Favorite Nav Log

killbilly

killbilly

Vocals, Lyrics, Triangle, Washboard, Kittens
In the 11 years I've been flying, I've looked at about a dozen different Nav Logs and I've never found one I really thought was both complete AND easy to use.

I'm building a lesson on XC flight planning right now (which is my favorite thing, I think, to teach/talk about) and I'm wondering if there is consensus on a favorite format. I know I could make my own but I'm not interested in re-inventing the wheel. I also know that ForeFlight has replaced a lot of manual logging for most pilots but I actually *like* the old-school method just because it's challenging, fun, and getting lost and finding yourself again is a satisfying experience as a pilot. (It was for me, anyway - I got lost a lot, but always found my way.)

What say you, veteran CFIs?
@bucksmith @Screaming_Emu @milleR @tcco94 @hook_dupin @MidlifeFlyer @USMCmech

(anyone can reply - I just know for a fact you guys mentioned all have spent a lot of time teaching.)
 
My first option was the free nav logs. I'd usually walk around the flight school until I found a pad of them and then rip off a few.
Agreed, don't re-invent the wheel, OTS products have already worked out the bugs, and there's all these nifty blanks to fill in a bunch of nifty info. Most important thing is to have the most important info quickly accessible and legible when their glass is nearly full.
Interestingly, you'll probably have more people resist old school paper and pencil, so if you wanted to explore new ideas, is there an electronic nav log that could be used both ways? In other words, force the tech savy millennial to begin with a pencil then when they "graduate" to electronic, it's the same format?
Otherwise, a roll of toilet paper would suffice in a pinch. ;)
 
I really do beleieve it's important to make these guys do it with a paper and pencil a few times. You have to know how to make the sausage, otherwise they'll be more likely to miss garbage in/garbage out. (GIGO)
 
bucksmith said:
My first option was the free nav logs. I'd usually walk around the flight school until I found a pad of them and then rip off a few.
Agreed, don't re-invent the wheel, OTS products have already worked out the bugs, and there's all these nifty blanks to fill in a bunch of nifty info. Most important thing is to have the most important info quickly accessible and legible when their glass is nearly full.
Interestingly, you'll probably have more people resist old school paper and pencil, so if you wanted to explore new ideas, is there an electronic nav log that could be used both ways? In other words, force the tech savy millennial to begin with a pencil then when they "graduate" to electronic, it's the same format?
Otherwise, a roll of toilet paper would suffice in a pinch. ;)
Click to expand...

Oh, I agree. Paper, pencil and navlogs are easier to read in bright sunlight. Like I said in the original question, I was just wondering if there was a favorite navlog format out there. Otherwise I'll just grab one from ASA.
 
killbilly said:
Oh, I agree. Paper, pencil and navlogs are easier to read in bright sunlight. Like I said in the original question, I was just wondering if there was a favorite navlog format out there. Otherwise I'll just grab one from ASA.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I guess the actual answer from me was, no, Indont have a favorite. You'll find that all the blanks never get filled out, and they'll never have a more completely filled out nav log than their first one.
 
I really have come to like the free Dauntless Nav Logs. Why? Most navlogs are pretty similar, but I really like the compact style. It is best from a CRM/SRM perspective. Information management and cockpit workflow are extremely important in a single pilot, high workload environment. High workload is relative. If I can work multiple sections on a complex strike coordination and armed reconnaissance mission at night with one kneeboard, a tablet, and two radios, then you can find the bend in the river and turn right without a foolish looking clipboard that takes up your whole lap and causes you to rummage for information.

VFR NavLog (Navigation Log) and Cross Country Flight Planning Form

bucksmith said:
Yeah, I guess the actual answer from me was, no, Indont have a favorite. You'll find that all the blanks never get filled out, and they'll never have a more completely filled out nav log than their first one.
Click to expand...

That's because a lot of the blanks are stupid most of the time. Sometimes, they're all important. It can be tough to show them that.
 
First, despite appearances to the contrary, I haven't spent a lot of time on primary instruction.

But to answer your question, I never cared. If we are talking paper n pencil, it's all about choosing waypoints, doing the calculations, and having spaces to write them down to be reviewed and update them along the way. I have felt that way since electronic flight plans were created on a DOS PC via Telnet to DUAT using a 2400 baud modem (or was it 9600 baud by then?).

More so now since a student will be quickly transitioning to something on a tablet.

I guess there were some I didn't like. Jepp had a kneeboard sized one with room on the reverse side for weather briefings. That's nice but the size didn't meet my "room to show all the numbers" requirement for training. It seemed more a short form for certificated pilots than for students. But other than that...
 
UND had their own Nav Log that was pretty comprehensive when I was in school there. I just got a bunch of those before I left and used those when I was instructing. Works good, lasts long time.

I also created my own little sheet for local flights. I'm a big fan of having all your information in one place so that you don't have to search for stuff during busier phases of flight. I'll see if I have any copies left of either when I get home and see what you think.
 
The old standby responses of "don't reinvent the wheel" "Keep It Simple Stupid" ect. apply here. I haven't seen any that didn't have their drawbacks. Try several and choose the one you like the best.

Many flight school professors seem to be obsessed with creating the perfect Nav Log or Preflight form. But seem to forget that the paperwork is a means to an end.
 
It's been over 10 years since I did any primary instruction but I seem to recall just using this

navigationlog.jpg


and running a bunch of copies off the xerox machine when I ran low.
 
milleR said:
It's been over 10 years since I did any primary instruction but I seem to recall just using this

navigationlog.jpg


and running a bunch of copies off the xerox machine when I ran low.
Click to expand...

Hah! Someone sent me the same one.

There's kind of a cool one that Dauntless puts out that has an ICAO flight plan on it, but it's really busy.

I like this one. Simple.
 
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