Trimming down the checklist

Rykymus

Rykymus

Line Up and Wait
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Dec 24, 2014
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Rykymus
Have an old iPhone 6+ w/a cracked screen. (You should see how far an iPhone flies when you leave it on top of your plane and then start your engine.) For a year now, I've been using it solely as my digital checklist, digital E6B, and IFR timer. (Sort of a "micro mini iPad") I have it in a cradle tucked between my OAT gauge (in the left window post) and the edge of my console, where it is always visible to me. (It's also plugged into power.) I simply swipe of my finger advances to the next checklist. (And yes, I have a laminated printed copy on board.)

However, I came to realize that I was using checklists that I had created just after getting my PPL. They were, shall we say, "overly complete." Because of this several of the checklists required scrolling, and I was occasionally not reading some of them completely. After reading a post describing simpler checklists, I decided to redo mine. I chucked the whole "Challenge/Response" thing, trimmed some of the obvious stuff, and combined a few things into single lines. The result is that every checklist has no more than 10 lines so it doesn't require scrolling. I also rearranged things to more closely match my normal flow.

My goal is to become better at using my checklists at every stage, something that I haven't always done. This is all in preparation for a flying tour around the US, that I hope to make either this fall, or in the spring of 2018. I'll get my first opportunity to try out my "Lite" checklists Tuesday, when I fly to Monterey.
 
Was just thinking, if one goes digital for checklists, wouldn't it be a good feature to have an app that you actually check off each item with an actual check mark and you would have a warning of you tried to move on without all boxes checked?
Maybe even save and date/time any completed checklist sections.
 
LongRoadBob said:
Was just thinking, if one goes digital for checklists, wouldn't it be a good feature to have an app that you actually check off each item with an actual check mark and you would have a warning of you tried to move on without all boxes checked?
Maybe even save and date/time any completed checklist sections.
Click to expand...
That's how the checklist is on G1000 planes.
 
LongRoadBob said:
Was just thinking, if one goes digital for checklists, wouldn't it be a good feature to have an app that you actually check off each item with an actual check mark and you would have a warning of you tried to move on without all boxes checked?
Maybe even save and date/time any completed checklist sections.
Click to expand...
Popping a warning if you leave the checklist undone and providing evidence for the government of missed items aside, is there any electronic checklist that doesn't have you actually check each item off? All the ones I've seen so far do.
 
Rykymus said:
My goal is to become better at using my checklists at every stage, something that I haven't always done. This is all in preparation for a flying tour around the US, that I hope to make either this fall, or in the spring of 2018. I'll get my first opportunity to try out my "Lite" checklists Tuesday, when I fly to Monterey.
Click to expand...
Great goal. Many of us feel personalized, simplified checklists mean more actual use. And we all can have different ways if doing it. The downside (something I did along the way) is making size a goal.
 
One thing I would like to do is develop a better checklist for my airplane, one page max. I'd really like to print it out, make a pad of it (most office supply stores will do this on the cheap) and then physically check things off. Can even date and keep the thing if im so inclined. I'm not a good enough IT specialist to develop an app for a device, and I'm already a bit uncomfortably reliant upon them.
Fun thought. Most of our airplanes (mine certainly) predate the Xerox.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Popping a warning if you leave the checklist undone and providing evidence for the government of missed items aside, is there any electronic checklist that doesn't have you actually check each item off? All the ones I've seen so far do.
Click to expand...

Reading the OP it sure seemed he was moving on without checking. He stated that he was moving on without scrolling down to read the whole checklist. Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe he could check it off without having read the whole thing. I haven't used electronic checklists yet. So I thought it might be an idea to not allow moving on without checking.
 
LongRoadBob said:
Reading the OP it sure seemed he was moving on without checking. He stated that he was moving on without scrolling down to read the whole checklist. Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe he could check it off without having read the whole thing. I haven't used electronic checklists yet. So I thought it might be an idea to not allow moving on without checking.
Click to expand...
Maybe a definitional difference between us. I didn't read the OP as using an "electronic checklist" (such as the ones in a number of EFBs, some panel systems, self-created using a To Do List app, some stand-alone aviation checklist apps, etc). That's what I was referring to in my comment.

I read the OP as describing a regular plain vanilla written checklist that happens to be "printed" on a screen (usually a static PDF file) instead of a piece of paper. I might have been mistaken. I have all of my checklists on my iPad (although I primarily use the identical ones on paper) and never thought of them as being "electronic checklists."
 
What are you guys using for electronic checklist apps? Foreflight?
 
cowman said:
What are you guys using for electronic checklist apps? Foreflight?
Click to expand...

I typed my checklist electronically using Word, printed it and flew with it a few times. After each flight, I'd pencil in some notes and revise it. Once it was "finished" I printed it in Booklet Format (check the Help section), cold laminated it, stacked the pages and sewed them together. Works like a charm, and is an exact fit onto my Sportys kneeboard.
 
Is the iPhone acceptable as a timer? I doubt it.

Or do you have a properly installed clock to meet the regulations that you choose not to use? If this is the case, you should consider using only the approved equipment while training since that is what you'll be expected to demonstrate during the check ride.
 
I'm a big fan of self-made checklists.

In 2010, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to fly right seat for a leg in a Hawker 800. Among the many great learning opportunities fulfilled on that flight, I found that small GA checklists ABSOLUTELY SUCK.

In the Hawker, you run 5 checklists before the wheels leave the ground (pre-start, start, pre-taxi, taxi, line-up IIRC) but they are all clear, concise, and with no extraneous items - Each one was probably less than 10 items.

In contrast, this is the kind of junk you see on a C172 checklist:

Master........................ON
Fuel Gauges............CHECK
Master.......................OFF

How about just having the item to check the fuel gauges, and if the gauges read empty when you just saw the tanks full, you facepalm and turn the master on?

Because there are so many items on a C172 checklist, and they're printed so small, it's very easy to accidentally skip over one even if you are using the checklist. In addition, having so many items on a checklist really encourages people to stop using them after the checkride, at which point they're worthless!

I've also found through the process of making my own checklists that small GA airplanes tend to have way too many items on the normal checklists, but NOT ENOUGH on the emergency lists! If you have an engine failure in a Cessna and you revert back to the checklist to make sure you don't forget anything in the heat of the moment, you're going to be messing around with mixture and carb heat when in fact you should be looking outside for a place to land.

So, make your own checklists. Start with the factory checklists, think about why each item is on there and why it's in the order it is. Anything that has the remotest chance of killing you goes on the checklist. Anything you don't have to do every time (Pitot Heat..... OFF for example) should probably go on there. Anything that's merely there in support of another item (like the Master On/Off items above) should probably be left out.

Result: I have a bunch of checklists that all fit on a single page: Front for normal, back for emergency. Easy peasy.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
I'm a big fan of self-made checklists.

In 2010, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to fly right seat for a leg in a Hawker 800. Among the many great learning opportunities fulfilled on that flight, I found that small GA checklists ABSOLUTELY SUCK.

In the Hawker, you run 5 checklists before the wheels leave the ground (pre-start, start, pre-taxi, taxi, line-up IIRC) but they are all clear, concise, and with no extraneous items - Each one was probably less than 10 items.

In contrast, this is the kind of junk you see on a C172 checklist:

Master........................ON
Fuel Gauges............CHECK
Master.......................OFF
Click to expand...
My all-time favorite is (my emphasis):

NORMAL TAKEOFF
1. Wing Flaps -- 0°-10°.
2. Throttle -- FULL OPEN.
3. Mixture -- RICH (above 3000 feet, LEAN to obtain maximum
RPM).
4. Elevator Control -- LIFT NOSE WHEEL (at 55 KIAS).
5. Climb Speed -- 70-80 KIAS.

OK, if I haven't flown a 172 in a while, I might need the other reminders including the IAS at which the nosewheel should come up. But if ever forget to hit the gas and use the elevator to climb in order to take off, I'm quitting flying before I hurt myself seriously.
 
LongRoadBob said:
Was just thinking, if one goes digital for checklists, wouldn't it be a good feature to have an app that you actually check off each item with an actual check mark and you would have a warning of you tried to move on without all boxes checked?.
Click to expand...

The app I'm using (http://www.checkmateaviation.com/) does have the ability to require a check mark for each item. I disabled that feature long ago. (I tried, and didn't care for it much, as it was often difficult to get the dang check mark to happen.) It also has the ability to make certain items required, and will not let you advance to the next checklist until you have checked them, but I don't use that feature either. I'm using it more as a reminder list. I do everything, then read the short list to make sure I didn't forget anything. During cruise, I glance at it periodically to remind myself to do things like change tanks, realign the DG, Check my position and fuel burn, etc... I may experiment with having a few critical items require check marks.

cowman said:
What are you guys using for electronic checklist apps? Foreflight?
Click to expand...
I tried several different apps, including Foreflights, and making my own in Word. (That's how I made the printed versions that are in the plane as a backup.) I settled on Check Mate because you could edit your checklists on the web, which is much faster and easier than doing it on the device. It also gives you the ability to adjust font size and line spacing, which was critical to me, as I have to wear glasses for distance vision, and reading small print usually requires flipping my lenses up out of the way.
Ravioli said:
Is the iPhone acceptable as a timer? I doubt it.

Or do you have a properly installed clock to meet the regulations that you choose not to use? If this is the case, you should consider using only the approved equipment while training since that is what you'll be expected to demonstrate during the check ride.
Click to expand...

I didn't use the IFR Timer app during IR training, just the installed clock. I have used it during VFR practice approaches (no hood) and it was simple to use, but still, glancing at the clock on the console is just as easy. I haven't had the need to time any approaches in the real world yet. I suspect that when the time comes, I'll just use the clock.

flyingcheesehead said:
I found that small GA checklists ABSOLUTELY SUCK.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Here's an example of how I shortened one of the checklists:

OLD RUNUP CHECKLIST NEW RUNUP CHECKLIST
PARK BRAKE: -set- Set Parking Brake
FUEL SLCTR: -desired tank- Select Fuel Tank
FLIGHT CNTRLS: -check- Check Flight Controls
FUEL PUMP: -on- Set Mixture/FP On
MIXTURE: -full rich- ------RUNUP CHECK------
THROTTLE: -2000 rpm- Eng Temp/Oil Press
CARB HEAT: -on (75)- Carb Heat/Mags/FP/Alt
RT MAG: -cycle (175/50)- Pitot Ht/Ann Pnl/Vcm
LT MAG: -cycle (175/50)- --------END RUNUP--------
FUEL PUMP: -off (check)- Set Mixtr Taxi/FP Off
ALTRNTR: -cycle (check)-
ANNC PNL: -test-
VACUUM: -check (4.8-5.4)-
OIL TEMP: -check green-
OIL PRESS: -check green-
THROTTLE: -idle-
MIXTURE: -lean for taxi-
PARK BRAKE: -release-
 
Rykymus said:
Here's an example of how I shortened one of the checklists:

OLD RUNUP CHECKLIST NEW RUNUP CHECKLIST
PARK BRAKE: -set- Set Parking Brake
FUEL SLCTR: -desired tank- Select Fuel Tank
FLIGHT CNTRLS: -check- Check Flight Controls
FUEL PUMP: -on- Set Mixture/FP On
MIXTURE: -full rich- ------RUNUP CHECK------
THROTTLE: -2000 rpm- Eng Temp/Oil Press
CARB HEAT: -on (75)- Carb Heat/Mags/FP/Alt
RT MAG: -cycle (175/50)- Pitot Ht/Ann Pnl/Vcm
LT MAG: -cycle (175/50)- --------END RUNUP--------
FUEL PUMP: -off (check)- Set Mixtr Taxi/FP Off
ALTRNTR: -cycle (check)-
ANNC PNL: -test-
VACUUM: -check (4.8-5.4)-
OIL TEMP: -check green-
OIL PRESS: -check green-
THROTTLE: -idle-
MIXTURE: -lean for taxi-
PARK BRAKE: -release-
Click to expand...

Here's a little re-formatting:

Code: 
OLD RUNUP CHECKLIST                 NEW RUNUP CHECKLIST
===============================     =========================
PARK BRAKE:     -set-               Set Parking Brake
FUEL SLCTR:     -desired tank-      Select Fuel Tank
FLIGHT CNTRLS:  -check-             Check Flight Controls
FUEL PUMP:      -on-                Set Mixture/FP On
MIXTURE:        -full rich-         ------RUNUP CHECK------ 
THROTTLE:       -2000 rpm-          Eng Temp/Oil Press 
CARB HEAT:      -on (75)- Carb      Heat/Mags/FP/Alt 
RT MAG:         -cycle (175/50)-    Pitot Ht/Ann Pnl/Vcm 
LT MAG:         -cycle (175/50)-    --------END RUNUP-------- 
FUEL PUMP:      -off (check)-       Set Mixtr Taxi/FP Off
ALTRNTR:        -cycle (check)-
ANNC PNL:       -test-
VACUUM:         -check (4.8-5.4)- 
OIL TEMP:       -check green-
OIL PRESS:      -check green-
THROTTLE:       -idle-
MIXTURE:        -lean for taxi- 
PARK BRAKE:     -release-
 
midlifeflyer said:
My all-time favorite is (my emphasis):

NORMAL TAKEOFF
1. Wing Flaps -- 0°-10°.
2. Throttle -- FULL OPEN.
3. Mixture -- RICH (above 3000 feet, LEAN to obtain maximum
RPM).
4. Elevator Control -- LIFT NOSE WHEEL (at 55 KIAS).
5. Climb Speed -- 70-80 KIAS.

OK, if I haven't flown a 172 in a while, I might need the other reminders including the IAS at which the nosewheel should come up. But if ever forget to hit the gas and use the elevator to climb in order to take off, I'm quitting flying before I hurt myself seriously.
Click to expand...
:)
That nonsense just clutters the list, is distracting, and ends up being ignored. I DO the pre-flight THEN look at the CHECKlist. Once inside, i use the checklist as a DO list. After run-up, I don't fool with it again until shut-down. But I'm in a 172; fixed gear, fixed prop. . .as you say, if you look at the descent and landing checklists for a 172 and/or 182, if it all isn't self-evident, you may have bigger issues.
 
Sundancer said:
:)
That nonsense just clutters the list, is distracting, and ends up being ignored. I DO the pre-flight THEN look at the CHECKlist. Once inside, i use the checklist as a DO list. After run-up, I don't fool with it again until shut-down. But I'm in a 172; fixed gear, fixed prop. . .as you say, if you look at the descent and landing checklists for a 172 and/or 182, if it all isn't self-evident, you may have bigger issues.
Click to expand...
I think that's actually not a good idea. If works in a172 because it's so simple. A pre-landing check comes down to mixture rich and a reminder of final landing speed and not even the second one if a 172 is the input thing you fly. The bad part is, IMO, it develops the habit of not using a checklist.

I've told the story many times of the pilot transitioning to a 182 who never remembered to check the cowl flaps and never thought even once of looking at the checklist sitting in his line of sight. I've seen it also in pilots transitioning from 172 to PA28 who could never remember the fuel pump off in the climb and on for the landing. And the checklist was no help because they had spent hours and hours training themselves to ignore it. Translate that "ignore the checklist" habit to an emergency, and you can have a real problem.

Running a checklist doesn't have to be "playing" with it. Watch a few of Guido Warnecke's videos on YouTube. He does a lot of aircraft ferries and his checklist use Is practically an art form.
 
midlifeflyer said:
I think that's actually not a good idea. If works in a172 because it's so simple. A pre-landing check comes down to mixture rich and a reminder of final landing speed and not even the second one if a 172 is the input thing you fly. The bad part is, IMO, it develops the habit of not using a checklist.

I've told the story many times of the pilot transitioning to a 182 who never remembered to check the cowl flaps and never thought even once of looking at the checklist sitting in his line of sight. I've seen it also in pilots transitioning from 172 to PA28 who could never remember the fuel pump off in the climb and on for the landing. And the checklist was no help because they had spent hours and hours training themselves to ignore it. Translate that "ignore the checklist" habit to an emergency, and you can have a real problem.

Running a checklist doesn't have to be "playing" with it. Watch a few of Guido Warnecke's videos on YouTube. He does a lot of aircraft ferries and his checklist use Is practically an art form.
Click to expand...
I'm not a believer in the "bad habit" rule of thumb; I'm not that stupid (nor are most pilots/people); in an unfamiliar model, or one I haven't flown in a while, I'll use the checklist for descent or landing. In the 172 I fly frequently, the descent and landing checklists are clutter.
 
Check list really shouldn't be complicated or even electronic, on half piece of paper laminated.

Don't make a simple thing complex.
Heck real world I shouldn't even bother with the speeds, but I just had space to fill.

image.png
 
On the contrary, the more you fly the same plane, the more likely you are to become complacent. The entire reason I use a checklist is to prevent that. I don't need to be reminded of my landing speed, but having something to review to make sure I didn't forget anything important is just being safe. Furthermore, I find that I am more distracted when I have passengers, making the checklist even more helpful.
 
Ravioli said:
Is the iPhone acceptable as a timer? I doubt it.
Click to expand...

Depends on the usage. I ignored the one in the panel during my ATP ride and used the iOS clock app's timer functionality for approaches and holds instead. The examiner certainly didn't care.
 
I know it's a minor personal gripe but checklists folded or cut in half the long way drive me bonkers. It's so awkward to hold or stow a page that's 4.25"x11".
 
Sundancer said:
I'm not a believer in the "bad habit" rule of thumb; I'm not that stupid (nor are most pilots/people); in an unfamiliar model, or one I haven't flown in a while, I'll use the checklist for descent or landing. In the 172 I fly frequently, the descent and landing checklists are clutter.
Click to expand...
There are plenty of stories and academic writings out there, in aviation and out, to support the power of both good and bad habits. It has nothing to do with stupidity, more about how we are wired as human beings. The more we send automated, there less we are likely to missed it. In aviation, it's the reason we practice emergency engine out. Outside of aviation, what do you call a driver who only signals for turns when he thinks he needs to? Answer: someone who doesn't signal for turns.

Your are welcome to reject it.
 
Rejected, of course. With respect, you missed my point - descent and landing checklists in a 172 are close to useless. Or even a negative - the couple seconds spent looking at it are better spent looking outside. As I said, I use it preflight and runup. As a habit.
 
I taped a small binder clip to my yoke and printed/laminated a page with four checklists that I can fold to the right one and have it right in front of me. Each list is about 8 items long.
 
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