Definition
A risk-management practice in which the pilot actively verifies that automated flight systems — such as the autopilot, flight director, GPS, or flight management system — are doing what was intended, by cross-checking their behavior and outputs against independent sources of information (raw data, instruments, charts, and the pilot's own situational awareness).
Plain English
Don't just trust the automation — confirm it's actually doing what you told it to do. Check it against other sources to make sure the airplane is going where, and doing what, you expect.
Context Anchor
Used when managing cockpit automation, especially before following guidance from an autopilot, navigation display, or other automated equipment.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains pilot awareness and prevents over-reliance on automation that can lead to loss of control or navigation errors.
Intuition Check
Do not assume this means a quick second glance. In this context, it means actively confirming that the system’s setup and behavior match what you intended.
Example Sentence 1
After loading the approach into the GPS, she made a habit of double-checking the system by comparing the displayed course with the approach chart before crossing the initial fix.
Example Sentence 2
When the aircraft begins an unexpected climb, the crew immediately double-checks the system to identify any incorrect setting.