On Feb 5, 10:32 am, Dudley Henriques wrote:
Larry Dighera wrote:
On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 07:49:29 -0800 (PST), Ricky
wrote in
:

On Feb 5, 9:27 am, Larry Dighera wrote:
I realize you were just a student pilot at the time, but I find it
curious that the word checklist is not mentioned anywhere in your
article.
A checklist is/was used most of the time, possibly skipped if in a
hurry as I was.

If you consider, that being hurried is a reasonable an excuse for
reducing safety standards, that is your decision (not mine). That's
how an FAA Inspector would view it in the hopefully unlikely event he
was given the opportunity. It's best to consider his point of view
when making decisions, IMHO.

Even now, I find myself not using a checklist sometimes for preflight
once I get to know a plane.

External pre-flight inspection is rather awkward holding a checklist.
Fortunately, it's much the same for all aircraft, with the exception
of equipment unique to a particular aircraft type. There may be 13
fuel system drain points, or a fuel sump drain lever under the right
rear seat, but they all have Pitot systems, controls, engines, wheels,
breaks, ...

For nearly all other phases of operation, I find a checklist useful;
in fact I would feel vulnerable without it. Old-hands will tell you
that the 'flow' method of preflighting is superior, but I find a
written checklist is able to provide specific information that would
be lacking otherwise. A pre-landing GUMPS check is the minimum for
that phase of flight.

You can find a copy of my checklist he
http://freechecklists.net/dl/pa28235checklist.pdf

http://freechecklists.net/

It's easy to get complacent, especially with a small Cessna.

For me, the issues is not so much the size of the aircraft as it is
the height above the ground. :-)

I'd be curious to know how many actually carry around the checklist
outside while preflighting?

Ricky

[rec.aviation.student added]

There is absolutely no reason why a written checklist has to deviate
from a flow pattern, and indeed, a well written checklist will follow a
flow pattern. If it doesn't, I suggest re-writing it so it does.
I recommend using a written checklist all the time; the exterior
inspection included.

Agreed! Even driving a car I walk around for
tires, clean windows, do seat, mirrors, check
fuel gauge, radio station settings, seat belt and
that's a simple list.

When launching Ballistic Missiles, we have a
Range Officer pump out a tape recording of what
to do in sequence so it's mainly audio with the
check-list in the RO's hands.
We'd have built in holds, where we play Major
Tom, it's very cool.

That's actually a good idea for a simple pilot.
Ken