Forget The Checklist

Every Flight Manual, every Pilots Operating Handbook and every aftermarket pilots guide contains checklists. Normal and emergency, and in some airplanes, abnormal and alternate procedures checklists attempt to cover most situations youre likely to encounter. The FAA, instructors and authors (myself included) expend great effort trying to get pilots to use printed checklists. So it may seem odd to read there are times when a printed series of steps is too cumbersome to use. There are some times when you should forget the checklist. Most in-flight situations are not so time-critical that forgetting to move a switch or control spells immediate disaster. These conditions provide enough time for you to make inputs or move controls, then as time permits pull out a checklist and verify you have forgotten nothing. For instance, when leveling off from climb to cruise you may forget to close cowl flaps; the engine may cool rapidly as airflow accelerates, and cooling drag may prevent the airplane from reaching its maximum speed. But the engines not going to quit, and the airplane isnt going to fall from the sky. Level off, then as time permits reference a printed checklist to catch and correct your omission.

Key Takeaways:

• While aviation checklists are essential for normal and emergency procedures, certain time-critical in-flight situations demand immediate, memorized actions before referencing a printed list.
• Pilots should identify and commit these crucial first steps, akin to "bold print" items in military checklists, to memory through consistent practice and review.
• Examples of such immediate action mantras include "Push it Down" for engine failure after takeoff, "Power, Pitch, Positive Rate" for go-arounds, and "Switch Off, Open Up" for electrical fires.

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