Pre Takeoff Checklists

OK,

ive often wondered if you asked a room of glider pilots how many A's,
B's, C's, D's, and E's there were in their checklist how many answers
you'd get. Tom's report satisfies my suspiscion. I used to use ABCDE
but I could never remember how many of each. Plus some people used an
A for airbrakes, another uses a B for Brakes and others use a D for
Dive brakes!

So, regardless of the form of checklist, what does RAS suggest be
included in the before takeoff check? Of course it there will be some
variance between different types. Bob Buck talked in one of his books
about "Killer Items" which I think is an appropriate thing to be
looking for right before you hook up to the towplane. So yes you
could have a written checklist that includes taking your wallet out of
your pocket and things like that, but Tom's ASK-13 checklist (canopy
and airbrakes) is an example of the checklist addressing only the
Killer Items. Although I think that it may be a little to the
extreme.

Written laminated checklist for all phases of flight. (but i am flying
a self launcher.)

Mark 1AC

I am strongly opposed to memorized pre-flight checklists, because it's
too easy to be distracted or forgetful and miss something important.
I require my students to refer to a printed pre-flight checklist and
complete each step in order, and I use one in my own glider. I
believe that too many accidents have been caused by poor preflight
checklist completion--there are too many accident reports citing poor
checklist discipline as a factor. Preflight is a time when the pilot
can take his/her time to do it right, and refuse to allow any
distractions and not be rushed. That printed checklist is a powerful
tool, and should be used as such, every time!

Inflight, it's a different story. There is too much going on--
clearing, flying, planning--to be burying one's head in the cockpit
and reading a checklist. The pre-maneuver and before landing
checklists must be SIMPLE and memorized. Adding things like "look"
and "land" just garbages them up. Checklists are supposed to be
specific actions to configure the glider or prepare for an event.
Switches, controls, straps, checking the wind and airbrakes all fall
in this category. Doing what we are supposed to be doing does not.

On Mar 23, 1:07*pm, Dave White wrote:

*Adding things like "look"
and "land" just garbages them up.


LOOK outside for traffic in the pattern
LANDing area clear of obstructions

I'd place these in the "killer items" list not the "garbage"

On Mar 23, 11:55*pm, wrote:
On Mar 23, 1:07*pm, Dave White wrote:

*Adding things like "look"

and "land" just garbages them up.

LOOK outside for traffic in the pattern
LANDing area clear of obstructions

I'd place these in the "killer items" list not the "garbage"

Aw come on... I don't believe for a moment that any pilot needs that
on a checklist.

The hazard that does claim lives that might be worthy of "lookout" is
traffic coming in from *other* than the normal traffic pattern.
"Tunnel vision" is easily acquired, shed only through effort and
discipline.

Dave White: like your approach.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

On Mar 24, 7:14*am, T8 wrote:

Aw come on... I don't believe for a moment that any pilot needs that
on a checklist.



Than you haven't spent much time in the back seat teaching new pilots
or reviewing experienced ones. Glad we don't have to worry about you!

MM

On Mar 24, 10:10*am, wrote:
On Mar 24, 7:14*am, T8 wrote:

Aw come on... I don't believe for a moment that any pilot needs that
on a checklist.

Than you haven't spent much time in the back seat teaching new pilots
or reviewing experienced ones. *Glad we don't have to worry about you!

MM

Still not buyin'. Clearing the airspace (or groundspace) you intend
to occupy in the next 60 seconds or so is a continuous requirement for
safety. If that isn't being done automatically and continuously, I
don't see how a checklist item is going to help. You are right: I'm
not an instructor. Presuming that you are, please accept my thanks
for doing the job!

-T8

On Mar 24, 7:14*am, T8 wrote:
On Mar 23, 11:55*pm, wrote:

On Mar 23, 1:07*pm, Dave White wrote:

*Adding things like "look"

and "land" just garbages them up.

LOOK outside for traffic in the pattern
LANDing area clear of obstructions

I'd place these in the "killer items" list not the "garbage"

Aw come on... I don't believe for a moment that any pilot needs that
on a checklist.

The hazard that does claim lives that might be worthy of "lookout" is
traffic coming in from *other* than the normal traffic pattern.
"Tunnel vision" is easily acquired, shed only through effort and
discipline.

Dave White: like your approach.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...28X53127&key=1

Many sites have differing patterns for power and gliders. I've flown
from sites that have patterns for gliders, light power, and heavy
power with multiple entries and altitudes. My club glider port has
opposite power and glider patterns, north and east for power, south
and west for gliders.

Frank Whiteley