Plain English Meaning

Actually using the printed checklist — reading the items and confirming each one — instead of relying on memory or doing it from habit. Pilots are trained to use checklists as a built-in safety check at every stage of flight.

Full Definition

The disciplined practice of referring to a written checklist to verify that required actions, configurations, or conditions have been completed at the appropriate phase of flight or operation. Checklist usage is a deliberate verification step, not a memory aid, and is treated as a core airmanship skill that instructors teach, model, and evaluate.

Context Anchor

Pilots use checklists during preflight, engine , , , , , , shutdown, and abnormal or situations.