Cockpit checklists - Concepts, design, and use

• Published in: Human factors 1993-06, Vol.35 (2), p.345-359
• Main Authors: Degani, Asaf, Wiener, Earl L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air transportation; Aircraft; Aircraft accidents; Aircraft accidents & safety; Aircraft industry; Behavioral Sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Check lists; Commercial aircraft; Design; Ergonomics. Human factors; Field study; Flight crews; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human factors; Marine transportation; Occupational psychology; Pilots; Profession; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Resource management; Space flight; Standardization; Transportation industry
• ISSN: 0018-7208; 1547-8181
• DOI: 10.1177/001872089303500209

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.