“ONE
LAST CHECK”
As flight instructors
there is always a lot going on in the cockpit when we are teaching. Not only are we trying to teach our students
how to fly, but we are also responsible for the safe flight of the sailplane. One of the times when we have a lot going on
is right before takeoff during the cockpit checklist. While others may have some responsibility
for things that are going on, we—the instructors—have the ultimate and final
responsibility for the flight. During
the time the checklist is being performed by the student we, as instructors,
are watching the rope for knots, checking the pattern for traffic, answering
last minute questions from our student, checking the wind conditions, and
hopefully still going through the cockpit checklist with the student. However, sometimes we may assume when we hear
the student “read aloud” a checklist item that it has actually been
performed. This is where we stand a
chance of getting ourselves into trouble.
The two most dangerous items on the checklist to miss are locking the
canopy and closing and locking the dive brakes.
If you have never missed either of these items as a flight instructor
you are better than the average instructor.
I, for one, have at one time or another missed each of them. Because of that I have begun to perform what
I call the “INSTRUCTORS’ ROLLING CHECKLIST.”
The “INSTRUCTORS’
ROLLING CHECKLIST” is quite simple. It
begins right after we start rolling down the runway and your undivided
attention is now on the takeoff. At this
point I once again check that the canopy is locked and that the dive brakes are
closed and locked. Since starting this
final “rolling checklist” I have never lifted off the ground with the canopy
unlocked or the dive brakes open. I know
the argument can be made that this check should be done before the sailplane
starts rolling and believe me I try.
However, past experience says we will from time to time miss one of
these two items. Consider this “rolling
checklist” a last verification of two extremely important items. I, for one, know that the “INSTRUCTORS’
ROLLING CHECKLIST” has helped me be a safer flight instructor.
Fly Safely,
Frank Reid
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Frank Reid,