Useful memory aid techniques
“Over the rail” or Before Exterior Inspection checklist (“1-2-3-4-5”)
This is a technique for remembering what to look at before starting your “walk-around.”
The small numbers in parentheses are the step number from the Before Exterior
Inspection checklist. A few of the items (marked with a *) are from the later checklists. ,
Before doing anything else, make sure the ejection seats are pinned, ISS is in SOLO, and
the CFS pins are installed. Then:
1 1 item: brake reservoir Check green band on reservoir cap. (20)
2 2 items: front panel 1. Confirm gear handle down (13)
2. Release gust lock (12)
3 3 areas: ejection seat 1. Left side: emergency oxygen pressure (4), green
ring seated, harness unlocked, SSK release handle
stowed, left leg restraint & shear ring (7)
2. Center: shoulder harnesses free to move (5), harness
and lap belt condition (6)
3. Right side: CFS bolt (11), SSK set to AUTO (9),
MOR handle (8), right leg restraint & shear ring (7),
oxy hoses & comm. cords (10)
4 4 items: left console 1. Circuit breakers in*
2. AUX BAT test*
3. Remove and stow CFS pin*
4. PCL in OFF (14) Sometimes it gets moved out of off when
removing the CFS pin(s), so physically check it after you pull
the pin!
5 5 items: right console 1. Circuit breakers in*
2. OBOGS off*
3. Starter—NORM (15)
4. Ignition—NORM*
5. Battery—on. (16) Check IOAT*, fuel quantity &
balance (18), and battery voltage (17). Battery—off.
(19)
Remember: it’s essential to ensure the PCL is off, and the starter and ignition switches
are in NORM before turning on the battery switch. Otherwise the prop might start
turning or the igniters start firing when the battery is switched on!
Area Orientation
“ABCDEFG” This mnemonic is a technique to prepare yourself for your practice area
work. Once you are assigned an area, review the following:
A Area Confirm the area assigned and where you are relative to it
B Boundaries Review altitude limits and boundary references
C Center reference Review ground reference at center of the area
D Direction of wind Consider which way the wind will tend to push you
E Emergency field Note nearest suitable landing field
F Frequency change Change from Ch 17 to Ch 15 and report established in the area
G G-Ex Perform G-Awareness Exercise
“FENCE” Another technique is the “FENCE “check, which helps accomplish the steps
of the Pre-stall/Spin/Acro checklist:
F Fuel Fuel balance w/i 50 lbs
E Engine Check engine instruments
N NACWS/Navaids Set range rings, GPS/VOR
C Checks/Comm Do Ops Check
E Equipment Test G-suit, check shoulder harness, cockpit loose items
Ops Check (“HEFOE-P”)
Accomplishing an Ops check approximately every 15 minutes is procedure. Here’s a
memory aid technique that will also come in handy in formation later.
H Hydraulics Check hydraulic pressure
E Electrical Check voltage and amps
F Fuel Check fuel quantity and balance
O Oxygen “On-normal-normal, good blinker; how about you?”
E Engine Check oil pressure & temp, torque, N1, Np
P Pressurization Check cabin altitude and delta-P
Pre-acro/Stall Checklist (“CHEF check”)
Accomplishing the pre-stall/spin/acro checklist before each stall series, acro series, or
spin is procedure. This is a memory aid technique to help accomplish it. Also, don’t
forget to clear! (Maybe “CHEF-C?”)
C Cockpit loose items stowed “Cockpit is secure, how about you?”
H Harness Fastened and unlocked
E Engine instruments Normal readings
F Fuel balance Imbalance <50 lbs
After Landing Checklist (“3-2-1”)
A good technique to remember the items of the After Landing checklist:
3 3 items: left console Flaps up
Trim interrupt
Reset trim into green
2 2 items: front panel Squawk STBY
NACWS off
1 1 item: right console Pitot heat off
Precautionary Emergency Landing checklist
A technique for memorizing the steps of the PEL checklist (p.65)
Turn toward the nearest suitable field
Climb with PCL set to 60% torque (as required)
Clean Retract gear, flaps, & speed brake (as applicable)
Check engine instruments to determine cause
Pump Switch boost pump to ON
Light Switch ignition to ON
Land Perform a PEL
Engine Problem (“ERASED”)
A technique for remembering considerations when dealing with an engine malfunction
E Engine failure checklist Accomplish checklist appropriate to malfunction
R Restart options Is a restart possible/advisable?
A Alternate Gear Extension Review Emergency Gear Extension checklist
S SFL/PEL Review FL or PEL checklist
E Ejection? Run controlled ejection checklist
D Descent Check Accomplish normal Descent Checklist
EPs that require a straight-in approach (vs. ELP or overhead) (“CAPT FANGS”)
C Canopy unlocked/open
A Asymmetric flaps
P Physiological incident (hypoxia, G-LOC)
T Trim malfunction
F Fuel imbalance
A Airspeed indicator failure
N Nose-compartment (engine access panel) door unlocked
G Gear malfunction
S Structural damage (mid-air collision, bird strike)
Before Descent for Instrument sorties (“W-HOLDS”)
The procedure behind this technique comes from AFM 11-217 Vol 1. Also known as
“DR. WHO’S” or “WD-HOLS” because the order of items isn’t important.
W Weather Listen to ATIS or call Metro
H Holding Review any expected holding pattern (entry, timing, etc)
O Obtain clearance Get cleared for the approach by ATC
L Letdown plate review Review the approach plate
D Descent check Accomplish Descent Checklist
S Slow Slow to approach/holding speed
Instrument Approach Mnemonics
“LIDS” Useful when being vectored onto an ILS or localizer. Accomplish on the base
leg.
L Localizer Ensure localizer is tuned, identified, and active
I Inbound course Dial in final approach course
D DME Ensure DME is held, if applicable
S Slow Slow to approach speed (150 kts)
“PINNS” A variation on the LIDS check applicable to all approaches.
P Plate review Review your intended approach
I Inbound course Dial in approach course
N Navaids Tune and identify applicable navaid(s): VOR, LOC,
DME, GPS
N Next approach Review your next approach, and get climb-out instructions
S Slow Slow to approach speed (150 kts)
“NAIL ON” Another generic approach review technique
N Navaid(s) Tune & identify navaids, DMEH as required
A Approach mins Review MDA/DH
I Inbound course Set course
L Letdown plate review Review approach
O Ops check
N Next approach Coordinate next approach with ATC
“N-MAILMON” A more exhaustive approach review technique
N Navaid(s) Tune, ID, & monitor navaid(s)
M Minima Review MDA or decision height
A Altimeter Verify altimeter setting (from ATIS)
I Inbound course Set CDI to inbound course
L Lost comm. plan Discuss plan if radio contact is lost
M Missed approach Review missed approach/climb-out instructions
O Ops check
N Next approach Coordinate next approach with ATC
“NORM NORM” A new technique optimized for GPS approaches
N Navaids Tune back-up navaid(s); put appch into GPS flight plan
O Ops check
R Review approach Review the approach plate
M Minimums Brief MDA or DH
N Next approach Coordinate next approach with ATC
O OBS Put GPS into OBS mode as required
R RAIM Check RAIM (STAT 10 page)
M Missed approach Review missed approach/climb-out instructions
The “6 T’s”
The most important technique when flying instrument approaches! Use it when you
cross the IAF, the FAF, or other fixes, or when you enter holding.
Time Start stopwatch, as required
Turn Turn to a predetermined heading to intercept the new course
Throttle Adjust power as necessary
Twist Dial in new course
Track Intercept and track along new course
Talk Radio call to ATC as required
“CAT” Handy when flying high penetration teardrop approaches.
C Course Dial in next course
A Altimeter Change from 29.92 to local altimeter, if applicable
T Turn Double-check the direction you’ll be turning, right or left