Definition
A printed or electronic list of step-by-step actions and verifications carried by the pilot for use in the cockpit. It covers normal operations (such as preflight, before takeoff, cruise, before landing, and shutdown), as well as abnormal and emergency procedures specific to the aircraft being flown.
Plain English
A list the pilot uses in the cockpit to make sure every required action is done in the right order, so nothing important is missed during normal flying or in an emergency.
Context Anchor
Used as part of pilot equipment and during normal cockpit flows such as preflight, engine start, before takeoff, before landing, and shutdown.
Derivation
The phrase 'flight deck' refers to the area where the pilots sit and operate the aircraft. 'Checklist' is simply a list of items to be checked off. Together: a list of items to be checked while operating the aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Helps prevent mistakes by ensuring nothing important is forgotten, which directly improves flight safety.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a checklist as optional notes for pilots who forgot something. In aviation, a flight deck checklist is a normal safety tool used to confirm critical steps every time.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the engine, she pulled out the flight deck checklist and worked through each item in order.
Example Sentence 2
During an emergency, the crew referred to the flight deck checklist to follow the proper shutdown procedures.