FIN 264 (A 319) at rotation painted in Air Canada's old livery. Photo taken by "tail spotter" Erik.
A short time before, the CVR (cockpit voice recorder) would have recorded, "the before take off checklist is complete!"
Here's an email I received from a follower regarding checklists in the aviation world.
Hi Doug. I saw an interview with an author who wrote the book "The Checklist Manifesto". It's a checklist system for the health industry - for doctors/surgeons/nurses to follow. The author talked about how they came up with the idea of checklists from the aviation industry, since,as you know, no action is taken in an airplane before a checklist is read. It was just really interesting to me how well the checklist system has worked for the aviation industry, and how the health industry has caught on so slowly. I thought I'd share the clip of the interview with you.
http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart/full-episodes/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart---february-3-2010/#clip262231
Welcome to the most regulated and regimented industry I know. If you watch this short clip it claimed Boeing takes distinction for implementing checklists in the aviation world after a B17 Bomber crashed with their top notch pilots on board.
During a pilot's initial training, we learn how to implement checklists. It's second nature. (That's why some pilots don't adapt well with non-aviators and spouses/family because life has no checklist.
They also have to realize CRM isn't just for the flight deck, but I digress).
At Air Canada we have mechanical checklists, there's electronic ones with our new birds, plasticized checklists, memory items, QRH (Quick reference handbook) checklist, ECAM (Airbus talk) checklist, and so on.
It's so en grained with me, I came up with a clever way of depicting my table of contents in my book using our checklists:
Introduction
1. Before-Start Checklist — The Life of a Pilot
Getting into the Business
Seniority
Commuting
Deadheading
Keeping up to Speed
Virtual Weather
2. After-Start Checklist — Getting to Know the Aircraft
Building an Airplane
Paint by Numbers
Taking Wing
Window on the World
Forward Force
Fill ’er Up
Airbus A340 versus Honda Civic
Airplane Tails
A Day in the Life
Just Checking
Ask the Pilot
3. Before-Takeoff Checklist — From the Gate into the Air
Captains on the Ground
Over-the-Top Weather
Plotting a Path
Cracking the Code
The Shipping News
Why All the Rules?
On the Job
View from the Ground
Deiceman Cometh
Moving the Heavy Metal
Sounds Good
56 Seconds Barreling Down the Runway
A Typical Flight
4. After-Takeoff and Cruise Checklists — Flight, Weather, and Turbulence
Why the Bumps?
Sky Snakes
Weather Watch
Wind Beneath the Wings
Under Pressure
A Breath of Air
Rules of the Road
Highways in the Sky
The Sound of Speed
Airplane Heaven
Stormy Weather
Going for a Ride… In a Thunderstorm?
’Tis the Season for Hurricanes
Mixed Measurements
Night Flight
Santa the Aviator
A Bird’s-Eye View
5. Predescent and In-Range Checklists — Landing at Airports Around the World
Destination Unknown
Foggy Landings
Smooth Landings
Crew Control
6. After-Landing and Parking Checklists — Layovers, Traveling the World, and Beyond
The Pro’s Guide to Jet Lag
Put Yourself in the Cockpit
Extreme Flying
Have No Fear
Trek to the Taj
Grueling Grouse Grind
The Beginning of Time
A Day of Infamy
Prepare for Blast Off
As this clip infers the medical field approached the aviation world and realized how well we have been doing things for all these years. Crusty ole doctors will have to learn they are not the only ones in the surgery room and they will have to abide by checklists. Just like pilot war veterans had to change their thinking in the flight deck. It's going to take some getting used to, but it's a smart thing to do. I wonder if they will take it one step further and incorporate devices equivalent to FDRs (Flight Data Recorders) and CVR (cockpit voice recorders) in hospitals. Heck, they record things in a court room. What about check rides for doctors and nurses? Lots to think about.
I know of a couple of Air Canada pilots that have taken this concept on the road and are doing quite well as a company convincing hospitals to convert to checklists. Hospitals around North America are coming on side. But it doesn't have to stop at the medical field. Maybe you readers can see how this concept could apply to your profession?
At Air Canada, and most airlines, all checklists end by stating," 'such and such' checklist complete!"
"The procedures for posting this post checklist is complete."