ATC Uses Checklists too

Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:02 AM ET

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Control towers don’t instantly begin operating when they open in the morning. Like in an airplane, it all begins with a checklist. Images by the author

Key Takeaways:

Air traffic controllers utilize a comprehensive system of checklists, similar to pilots, to ensure safe and efficient operations across all phases of their workday.
Opening procedures for an ATC facility involve rigorous checklists for verifying NOTAMs, reviewing equipment logs, and obtaining pre-duty weather briefings.
During operational hours, controllers follow relief briefing checklists for seamless shift changes, ensuring critical information like weather, active restrictions, and traffic is thoroughly transferred.
Regular watch checklists are performed to test emergency equipment, while closing checklists manage the handover of airspace and securing the facility, reinforcing safety as a foundational principle.

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What do operations of any two aircraft, be they a heavy Boeing 777 or the tiniest piston-engine light sport aircraft, have in common? Checklists, of course.

These straightforward, functional documents provide guidance for each standard phase of flight, from firing up the engines, to cruise flight, to shutting it down. Specialized checklists also help crews in crisis troubleshoot unusual situations.