Cockpit Checklists: Concepts, Design, and Use

TLDR

Aircraft checklists are a cornerstone of pilot standardization and cockpit safety, yet their improper use is a major accident contributor and they have received limited human‑factors scrutiny, with principles applicable beyond aviation to other high‑risk industries. The study aims to report field‑study results on flight‑deck checklists and examine the device’s functions, format, design, length, usage, and human interaction limitations. The authors conducted a field study of flight‑deck checklists, analyzing their functions, format, design, length, usage, and human limitations while also discussing sociotechnical influences such as airline culture, cockpit resource management, and production pressures. The study culminates in a set of design guidelines for normal checklists.

Abstract

Although the aircraft checklist has long been regarded as a foundation of pilot standardization and cockpit safety, it has escaped the scrutiny of the human factors profession. The improper use, or nonuse, of the normal checklist by flight crews is often cited as a major contributing factor to aircraft accidents. This paper reports the results of a field study of flight deck checklists and examines this seemingly mundane yet critical device from several perspectives: its functions, format, design, length, and usage, and the limitations of the humans who must interact with it. Certain sociotechnical factors, such as the airline "culture," cockpit resource management, and production pressures that influence the design and use of this device, are also discussed. Finally, a list of design guidelines for normal checklists is provided. Although the focus of this paper is on the air transport industry, most of the principles discussed apply equally well to other high-risk industries, such as maritime transportation, power production, weapons systems, space flight, and medical care.