The key is getting a plog designed. We use an A4 piece of paper folded in half to A5. With a A5 kneeboard/clipboard you can therefore write on the top page and the page underneath, but not page 2. Therefore no item on that page should require any inflight scribing.
For plates I use an A5 ring binder with inserts. Its up to you whether you fold the folder over and balance it on your knee, or pull the relevant plates out.