The most common way a good flying day goes sideways isn't in the airplane. It's realizing at the hangar that your headset is on the kitchen counter. Checklists aren't only for the cockpit.
- Leave-the-house: headset (and a spare), hangar keycard, airplane keys, tug batteries, snacks, water.
- Flight planning as its own list: weather, NOTAMs, weight & balance, contingencies and outs.
- Always read the chart supplement (the old A/FD). Weird local rules live there, like which runway to favor in calm winds.
- If you're counting on fuel, call ahead. Phone the FBO and confirm they're expecting you.
- Life jackets reachable from the pilot seat before you go overwater. Backup radio and emergency GPS on and positioned.
- Text the people who love you before you take off.