chris wrote:

I always wonder how people who rely on tons of checklists would manage
if we took your checklists away ???

They would probably fare quite well, as they had been practicing and
using the checklist. When faced with a situation where the
checklist went "out the window", or was not available, likely they
would complete the same items, in the same order. I know that
has been my experience.

The FAA and AOPA have published articles about the consequences of
not following (using) written checklists. For example, see:
http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/ar...fm?article=279

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/ccdd54376bfdf5fd862569d100733983/$FILE/Chap%201-3.pdf

Where it discusses:

1 Neglect of Flight Planning, Preflight Inspecions, Checklists,
Etc. Unjustified reliance on the pilot.s short and long term
memory, regular flying skills, repetitive and familiar routes,
etc.

a. The Impulsivity Hazardous Attitude. (1) Situation: As you
enter the landing pattern, you normally lower the flaps. The tower
suddenly changes the active -runway. Distracted, you forget to use
the before-landing checklist. On short final you find yourself
dangerously low with a high sink rate. Glancing down, you realize
that you forgot to extend the flaps.

I've found the pilots who "can remember the checklist" and/or "use
the flow" without backing it up with a written checklist often miss
not just one, but several items. During transition training to
other aircraft, and during Flight Reviews, there are usually several
opportunities to point out the value "use of a written checklist"
even in a Cessna-172 or Cherokee!

YMMV. I find written checklists to be a help, not a hinderence.
Checklists may be operated as a "to-do" list, or an after-the-flow
"cross-check" or "final-check" that everything was accomplished.

Best regards,

Jer/ "Flight instruction and mountain flying are my vocations!"
--
Jer/ (Slash) Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD, Ft Collins, CO
CELL 970 231-6325 EMAIL jer at frii.com http://users.frii.com/jer/
C-206 N9513G, CFII Airplane&Glider FAA-DEN Aviation Safety Counselor
CAP-CO Mission&Aircraft CheckPilot BM218 HAM N0FZD 247 Young Eagles!