Military pilots have a phrase they use called “check six.” It reminds them how important it is to always keep checking their 6 o’clock position to make sure an enemy pilot is not sneaking up behind them. Civilian pilots should use a similar phrase, “check final,” to remind ourselves to always check to make sure no one is coming in on final that we are not aware of.
Most midair collisions happen on a clear day near an airport. Many happen on final approach, with one airplane sometimes landing on top of another airplane, so obviously many pilots are not consistently verifying that final is clear. The importance of this reminder should be obvious at an uncontrolled field. From the moment I finish listening to the AWOS, if available, and tune in the CTAF, I am listening carefully to get a feeling for what is going on in the vicinity of the airport. As I taxi out, I try to build a mental picture of all aircraft departing or arriving at the airport, where they are in the pattern, and how I might fit into the flow of traffic.
