Custom Checklists

There’s some misinformation out there, so let’s be clear: In Part 91, you are permitted to make your own checklist. But if you do, there are things to consider.

Fred Simonds

Monday, July 01, 2024 at 04:59 AM ET

Verified

Side view of the Boeing XB-17 (Model 299) after the fire was extinguished. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Key Takeaways:

Aviation checklists originated from a 1935 B-17 crash, highlighting the need for memory aids to manage increasing aircraft complexity and ensure proper configuration, especially during critical flight phases.
Pilots are permitted to create or modify checklists, but it is crucial to meticulously compare them against the official POH/AFM and supplemental information to prevent the omission of vital procedures.
Effective checklist design incorporates human factors, logical organization (e.g., chunking), clear phraseology, and a balance of conciseness and comprehensiveness, serving as a dynamic tool that must be consistently used for safety.

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On October 30, 1935, a Boeing 299, a prototype of the B-17 Flying Fortress, departed Wright Airfield in Ohio and immediately entered a steep climb. The aircraft stalled and crashed, killing two pilots of the five men aboard.

Investigation revealed that the pilots failed to unlock the aircraft’s rudder and elevator gust locks. Boeing investigators realized that aircraft had become too complex to manage by memory. This insight led them to create the first preflight checklist, which led to the comprehensive checklists of today.