Flight Planning0/13
I like having this before flight list standard for every flight
When I fly with my wife, we ensure someone is on the hook for feeding the animals if they dont hear from us
- Trip reminders
Aircraft Fluids0/9
I got sick of checking the POH every time. This is a good reminder to do it!
Cabin Check0/21
Within reach of the pilot seat before every overwater leg.
Left an example of an inefficiency: I recently moved this to first thing in the cabin check so you dont have to poke your head out of the cabin again to remove the cover prior to pitot heat
Exterior Inspection0/25
- Empennage
- Right Wing
- Nose
- Left Wing
Before Starting Engine0/14
The extra sump after fueling. Lives on my before-start flow so I dont skip it.
- Seat Belts, Air Flow, Fire, Egress/Emergency
- Traffic, Questions?
Killer item: set it to BOTH. Fuel starvation on a perfectly good engine happens way more than it should.
Engine Start0/14
The POH spells out three steps; this is the single call I actually run. The steps are seared into my brain.
Post Engine Start0/29
- Clean Up & Avionics
- Clearance
- Taxi
- Day: Beacon
- Low Viz: Beacon, Nav, Land, Taxi
- Night: Beacon, Nav, Taxi
- Instrument Checks
Engine Runup0/13
Killer item: free and correct, every single takeoff.
- Engine Check
Compressed to the limits I actually check: under 150 RPM drop, under 50 difference. I dont need the knob-by-knob script anymore.
- Drop-off may signal a fouled spark plug
Departure Preparation0/21
- Autopilot
- Departure Configuration
I once tried to take off without the required 10°. Now the flap check shows up in a few spots on purpose. Annoyed three times beats wrong once.
Decide the abort point on the ground, not at 50 knots on the roll.
- Normal: Rotate 55, 75, Gear, Flaps, 82
Not a check, just an inline reference for the speed/gear/flap sequence, right where I glance for it.
- Perf: Rotate 50, 62, Clear, Gear, 70, Flaps
- Ready for Takeoff
- Day: Beacon, Strobe
- Low Viz: Beacon Strobe, Land, Taxi
- Night: Beacon, Nav, Strobe, Land, Taxi
Yes, flaps again. Repeating a killer item is the point, not a duplicate.