> I would imagine (please correct me if I'm wrong) that pilots' checklists are developed over time by veterans and changed infrequently.
Generally yes. For most general aviation aircraft, the checklists are part of the POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook, required to be with the airplane at all times). These are developed by the manufacturer during testing and are considered the standard and the minimum requirement for doing a check. They may be occasionally updated either by the manufacturer themselves or by Airworthiness Directives issued by the FAA (in the US). AD updates often mandate putting a placard on the instrument panel to remind pilots of some issue.
In addition, in the pilot community many veterans make extended lists with other "gotchas" to look out for or "shortcuts" to help you remember parts of the checklist (like "GUMPS" for landing - gas [fuel tank selected, pumps, etc], undercarriage (gear down), mixture set, prop set, seat belts and switches) or "Lights Camera Action" for takeoff (lights on, transponder set, radio set, GO!).
And if you're renting a plane, the owner may have additional instructions as well. So it ends up being a combination of all three.
> It might be a little weird, but I keep a list of fun things I want to do.
I DO THIS TOO! :)
Things is great for organizing this kind of thing. This way, if I ever find myself with some spare time rather than just veg or mindlessly watch TV, I can find something productive to do. Like wiring a new switch, or playing with the Raspberry Pi on my desk or something.
In driver's education, I learned DSMBV [doors (locked), seats (adjusted), mirrors (adjusted), belt (seatbelt, attached), ventilation (adjusted as needed)].
It's not needed in my own car, but it is still useful to me for rentals and borrowing other people's cars (or in driver's ed, where the driver changes between students), since it can be overwhelming figuring out where everything is and everything is out of adjustment for myself.
I quickly made my own version by adding one more letter to the list, by experience: DSMBVL... L for Lights!
Apparently, the acronym that more people actually use is DSSSM (aka cockpit drill), which includes steering but not ventilation or lights.
Generally yes. For most general aviation aircraft, the checklists are part of the POH (Pilot's Operating Handbook, required to be with the airplane at all times). These are developed by the manufacturer during testing and are considered the standard and the minimum requirement for doing a check. They may be occasionally updated either by the manufacturer themselves or by Airworthiness Directives issued by the FAA (in the US). AD updates often mandate putting a placard on the instrument panel to remind pilots of some issue.
In addition, in the pilot community many veterans make extended lists with other "gotchas" to look out for or "shortcuts" to help you remember parts of the checklist (like "GUMPS" for landing - gas [fuel tank selected, pumps, etc], undercarriage (gear down), mixture set, prop set, seat belts and switches) or "Lights Camera Action" for takeoff (lights on, transponder set, radio set, GO!).
And if you're renting a plane, the owner may have additional instructions as well. So it ends up being a combination of all three.
> It might be a little weird, but I keep a list of fun things I want to do.
I DO THIS TOO! :)
Things is great for organizing this kind of thing. This way, if I ever find myself with some spare time rather than just veg or mindlessly watch TV, I can find something productive to do. Like wiring a new switch, or playing with the Raspberry Pi on my desk or something.