I learned about flying from this, too...

On Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:32:23 -0500, Dudley Henriques
wrote:

snip

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.

For many years I simply followed the "flow" *until* I was interrupted
in one preflight, three times. I had developed the habit of starting
over, but after three times I started in where I left off. All went
well until I brought the nose up on rotation. Strange thing, the left
cowl stood up about the same time. I'll swear more local pilots saw
that than we have room for parking at the airport.. I've always
used a written check list since then. If I could be interrupted once
and make a mistake, it could happen again.

Roger (K8RI)
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com