PDRA01 Flight Log Template

The CAA's PDRA01 conditions require operators to maintain records of flights made under the operational authorisation and make them available on request. Consistent logs help demonstrate oversight, pilot currency and the real use of operating procedures.

Good records are also operationally useful: they expose recurring defects, battery trends, frequently used sites and training needs before those patterns become larger problems.

Choose fields that let a reviewer reconstruct the flight without turning the log into a second Operations Manual. Use unique aircraft and pilot references that connect to the relevant registers.

The flight log does not need to repeat a full site survey, but it should point to the feasibility or survey record used for that operation. This creates a traceable chain from planning to the actual flight.

If conditions changed after the survey, record the reassessment and decision. A blank incident field should not hide a late weather change, airspace update or unexpected public access issue that altered the plan.

A flight log records the operation. A technical logbook records the continuing status of the aircraft and significant components. They should cross-reference one another when a flight reveals a defect or maintenance action affects availability.

For example, the flight entry can identify an abnormal vibration and its defect reference; the technical record can show the inspection, action taken and who returned the aircraft to service.

Use required fields sparingly, define consistent identifiers and make the record work on the device or paper format crews actually carry. Assign responsibility for completing and reviewing entries, and protect personal data with appropriate access and retention controls.

Periodically sample logs for missing identifiers, unexplained gaps and open follow-up actions. The best template is the one that creates complete, retrievable evidence every time.