Military Influence Can Be Felt All Over General Aviation

From checklists to call signs, here's what pilots have adopted from the armed forces.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

In the civilian world call signs are often bestowed after the first solo or when a certificate or rating is achieved. In the military, it can be more complicated. [Credit: Glenn Watson]

Key Takeaways:

Aviation checklists originated from a fatal 1935 B-17 prototype crash, caused by a pilot forgetting to release a control lock, highlighting the critical need for standardized procedures.
Today, checklists are an indispensable tool for flight safety, ensuring pilots follow logical steps, prevent errors across all flight phases, and are a core part of pilot training and operations.
Pilot call signs are another tradition adopted from the military, often derived from a pilot's last name, a significant incident (mistake or successful challenge), or personal associations.

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The next time you pick up the checklist of your aircraft, remember this: It was created because of a horrible day in October 1935 when the Boeing Model 299 (XB-17), the prototype of the B-17, crashed during takeoff from Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio, in what was supposed to be a demonstration flight to earn a military contract.

The four-engine aircraft was the fastest and the most technologically advanced aircraft of the time. According to the official accident report, the aircraft lifted off, reached an altitude of approximately 300 feet, and then entered a stall. Two of the five crewmembers—including the pilot—were killed.