Checklist work is not the funniest part of aviation but is an important safety factor. Checklists define what to do in all phases of flight from engine start-up to shutdown. As they are pre-defined there is no need for the crew to re-think each time how to do things, especially in case of emergency.

Parts of the checklists have to be done “by heart” because they correspond to high-workload phases like initial climb and final approach. Some pilots memorize all checklists but this is not my strategy… To avoid memorization errors I learn only the minimum and complement it with memory tricks…

When to use paper checklist
Pre-flight inspection, startup and plane preparation checklists are quite lenghty, even if they tend to get shorter with FADEC engines. Except for engine fire no emergency can occur on ground, the workload is limited, and anything can be interrupted. For this reason I always use paper (or electronic) checklists on ground.

I try to make my line-up check as short as possible: Landing Light ON – Pitot Heat ON – Transponder ON. With modern Mode-S transponders that automatically turn on with speed the last item tends to disappear.

In cruise and before descent the workload is also low enough to allow for usage of paper checklists.

When NOT to use paper checklist
Initial climb, departure, and arrival are usually too busy to allow for paper checklist use, so memory items are needed. As I fly only single engine pistons my technique is to always use the climb check of the most complex aircraft I fly, which covers all the others:

• Gear Up
• Flaps Up
• Power set (applicable to one, two or three levers)
• Light off
• Fuel Pump Off
• Cowl Flaps Closed

If the plane of the day has no flaps, no pump or no cowl flaps I just mention the item as “not applicable”. With this generic checklist I don’t have to memorize variants for each type.

Memorization tips
I also use two memorization formulas on top of the standard checklists, one before take-off and one on short final:

Before take-off I do make sure that “I Can Fly This Puppy”

I – Instruments
Can – Controls
Fly – Flaps
This – Trim
Puppy – Prop

And on final I make the colors check: Red – Blue – Green

Red: mixture lever
Blue: prop lever
Green: gear down lights

Many other forumlas exist to support pilot memory, even in local languages. A french speaking club I’ve been member of was using “CHETIF”: Controles – Helice – Endurance – Trim – Instruments – Flaps. In french, chétif means “weak”.

I would be interested in your own tricks, whatever language they rely on, so feel free to share them in comments.