4. Checklist Usage

Disclaimer: Use appropriate checklist on every flight

Our aircraft do not require two crewmembers and therefore our pilots must demonstrate single-pilot proficiency in the aircraft to pass the FAA Practical Tests and to safely operate as a single-pilot within the aviation environment.

4.1 Read and Do Lists

Note: MUST be accomplished ONLY by reference to the checklist and not by memory, for all phases of flight.

The entire task/item must be read before any action is taken.

• For example:

  • Pilot not of the controls reads. “Set engine speed, 2000 RPM.”

  • Pilot flying sets the throttle to 2000 RPM and acknowledges, “Two thousand RPM.”

  • Pilot not on the controls confirms “Two thousand RPM,” and reads next task/item.

All Read and Do actions are written in the present tense but the response should be in the past tense, since the item has been completed.

• For example:

  • Pilot not on the controls reads “Area Clear.”

  • Both pilots perform the action and acknowledges, “Cleared left” or “Cleared right,” as appropriate.

 If at any time, you are interrupted while using the checklist, stop and announce “Hold checklist at [checklist item you left off at].” When returning to the checklist, restart that particular section of the checklist section from the beginning.

4.2 Memory Items

Memory items are performed by memory with the aid of a flow pattern to help ensure each action is performed. These are often referred to as “flows” or “flow checks” in larger aircraft.

• Each aircraft will have its own flow patterns. It is important to learn these flow patterns to keep items as simple as possible.

• Too much memorization interferes with the pilot’s ability to learn other tasks crucial to becoming a safe, skilled, proficient pilot.

Most of the memory actions deal with emergency situations when it is impractical to read a checklist.

• In all cases, the pilot should consult the checklist AFTER the aircraft is stabilized and verify the correct actions have been taken.

• Many emergency checklists items are in BOLD or UNDERLINED and should be committed to memory.

• If the emergency checklist is not in BOLD or UNDERLINED, the pilot should commit all LAND IMMEDIATELY and LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE emergencies to memory.