Flight Plans...do I need one?

[ifleeplanes]

I report for duty and a flight plan is not available for my flight even though it is a repetitive flight plan. I am informed that it will be brought to the aircraft, the flight plan that is delivered is a zero wind plan for a flight earlier in the day to the same destination and a different callsign. The company informs me that they are unable to physically get me a copy of the flight plan I require but assure me that the flight plan has been submitted.

I speak to ATC to confirm the routing and it is the same as the flight plan that has been brought to me. I am able to calculate the required fuel since the plan I have been brought, even though it is the wrong plan, is for zero wind.

Am I legally able to depart without the actual flight plan of the flight I am operating? And does anyone have any references to the answers please.

Thanks

[issi noho]

You're not really talking about flight plans- which is really the ATC variety.

You mean a plog, flight log call it what you will (Oh you did). If you have calculated the fuel and can create an accountable log of events during your passage then you may go. That is unless your company has some specific requirement to carry particular paperwork.

Interestingly, my co has just introduced a requirement for the Capt to sign his acceptance of the flight log fuel as it's commanders responcibility to carry sufficient fuel not flight planner or dispatch. Nice to know I'm needed for something.

[Piltdown Man]

With many companies, yes - even the most pedantic. Often what is written is that you must do some sort of pre-flight planning, checked your route for notams, weather, alternates and made a guess on the fuel required. You did. Your only problem would be if your Ops Manual precisely defined a valid plog and specifically excluded the scrawl with which we usually amend them. And finally, remember the plan doesn't survive contact with reality.

PM

[alexban]

what if you go to FRA ,for ex, and there you'll have a CAA inspection on board,and they'll ask for your computerized flight plan.It happened to me more then once,in some big european airports,and they wanted to check also if we've filled that plan papers (ETA's,fuel...) during incoming sector.
On my outfit the computerized flight plan it must be on the plane for the respective flight.It happened though to have a 'computer strike' and I had to ask for the flight plan of a former flight on the same route,day before,with some modifications done on it in Wordpad..(name,plane...)

[Piltdown Man]

You'll just say you haven't got one. Paper, pen and calculator are lethally accurate planning tools and have enough accuracy for any flight. Otherwise, just how did man manage to fly in the "olden days"? And as for the flight plan, you'll soon know you haven't got one when when you ask for a start. The ball in then in their court. The really important bit is to make sure that you comply with your company's rules.