4 Ways a Checklist Can Improve Your Life

A big part of being a pilot is essentially doing what you are told...by a checklist.  This practice has been a standard part of aircraft operation for decades, and even adopted by the medical industry to improve outcomes for surgical patients.

#cockpitselfie 

As a pilot we use checklists to ensure safety throughout all the various phases of operation.  Here are four reasons I think we should all adopt a checklist approach in some aspect of life:

1. It standardizes assumed practices which can dramatically improve results

Checklists were widely adopted in the medical field after Dr. Pronovost borrowed the concept from

Dr. Peter Pronovost,
John Hopkins Medical Center

the aviation industry for an experiment.  In 2001, he used it to address a common problem of infection occurring in patients with central IV lines.  At the time, it was common for 1 in 9 lines to become infected which just added on to a patient's problems.

This doctor created a simple 5 step checklist that medical personel were required to follow when inserting the lines: (1) wash hands with soap, (2) clean the patient's skin with antiseptic, (3) cover the patient's entire body with sterile drapes, (4) wear sterile mask, hat, gown and gloves, and (5) put a sterile dressing over the insertion site.

What is so impactful about all this is that we all KNOW (and especially the doctors) that these practices are good, but the research revealed that the actual behavior of the medical professionals was inconsistent: revealing that at least one of these steps were being skipped.  What would happen if they never missed a step?

STAY WITH ME...

After one year of maintaining these practices, the infection rate dropped from 11% to ZERO.  Two years later, they calculated that "it had prevented 43 infections, avoided 8 ICU deaths and saved the hospital approximately $2 million."

Short story: it works.

My Overnight Checklist

2. It minimizes the emotional component of decision-making
I have adopted a checklist approach to my overnights.  Given that a majority of my month is spent sleeping in a hotel, I knew I needed to kick off this new lifestyle with some healthy patterns after I found myself resorting to a heavy stream of cable TV.

After a long day of work, I would arrive at my hotel room and be seduced by the comfort of a clean bed and seemingly endless channels of sports and movies that I can't afford to watch until they're released on Netflix three years later.

When I reflected on this behavior, I decided to create this checklist in order to make better use of time.  Now when I get to my hotel room I don't operate based on the question... "What do I feel like doing?" (Because it's typically... watch HBO...which I still do! But after I've done some other stuff).

3. You literally become more productive
With my new checklist, I am able to accomplish so much more.  I do all my Computer-Based Training (a job requirement that cannot be done in-flight) while away from home so that I don't have to use my time at home with my family to do more work.  I have time to look at the budget and am more aware than ever of how we are stewarding our finances. I actually exercise again.  Overall, I'd say it's a great way to build habits.  Instead of drinking from a firehose, procrastinating, or neglecting to do certain things that I know contribute positively to my life, this checklist aids me in my discipline.

4. It boosts motivation
There's nothing like checking off something you've accomplished to propel you forward.  After I update my logbook and accomplish a good work out, I find myself encouraged and happier about how I have spent my time... these feelings just make doing the next thing more enticing.

A Few Sidenotes

I think that for those who appreciate order, there is comfort in a checklist... and for those who default to disorder...it provides a method to accomplish things in a society that highly values productivity.

Other checklists I've thought of creating/implementing relate to parenting.  I have a spunky toddler that could really benefit from a visual checklist of ways to help at home/learn responsibilities.

Time for a toddler checklist at home I think!

Even Santa uses a list, and checks it twice!

Have you ever used a checklist before? In what aspect of your life?  What kind of affect did it have?  What could you make a checklist for now?

How To Become a Pilot: Your First License

A common question from friends and family about my aviation career is: how does someone become a pilot?  What is the typical path?  How much does it

Artwork by Sara Pimental aka Wifey

cost?  Where do you train? What qualifies you to fly passengers?  When can you fly for a commercial airline?  These are a lot of the same questions I had when considering the career.  This is the first post of a new blog series in which I will aim to answer some of these questions.

For many people, the lure of flying starts in childhood.  But that doesn't have to be your story!  I never even considered flying a small plane for profession or pleasure until I was well into my education career.

5 Steps to Private Pilot

Think of it this way: your driver's license is to driving, as your private pilot's license is to flying. Whether you want to fly for pleasure or professionally, this is where you should start.

Let's start with the basics:  Are you at least 16 years old? Are you fluent in English?  Will your background check be free of drug or alcohol related crimes?  If so, you're on track!

1.  Get Your Medical Certificate

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make sure you're fit to fly.  You need to schedule a physical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area.  This will alert you to any conditions that might disqualify you from being a private pilot before you pay for any lessons (some disqualifying conditions: certain heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, personality disorder, any indication of substance abuse, etc.)  This really isn't just a suggestion, you have to have your official Medical Certificate with you when flying.  So get it now!  *You could do this AFTER a demo flight*

2. Schedule a Demo Flight

Now it starts to get fun.  If you've never been in a small plane, you'll want to see if General Aviation (GA) is right for you.  The aircraft are small and loud... but so much fun to operate!  Some of the training you'll do will induce that feeling you get when riding on a roller coaster.  

Where?  Most Fixed-Base Operators (FBO) offer this type of experience.  Do a Google search for: Learn to Fly in (your city).  You'll find some good information that way.  Here are my recommendations if you live in one of the following areas:

• Twin Cities: Schedule an Intro Flight at Thunderbird Aviation.  They have two locations: Eden Prairie and Crystal, MN.  This is where I did all my flight training, in partnership with Academy College.
• Phoenix: Inquire about an Intro Flight at Westwind School of Aeronautics.  This is where I currently work as an instructor.

Pick a beautiful day, invite some family or friends (up to two) to come and sit in the back seat, have them bring a camera, and if you decide it's not for you...at least you got a scenic tour out of it!

3. Choose Your Own Adventure

(Remember those books?)  Assuming you are as excited as I was and want to learn to fly, you need to decide how.  Training as a civilian typically happens one of two ways: via Part 61 or Part 141 guidelines.  The main difference? Part 141 schools have more FAA oversight and rigid schedules.  Part 61 is considered more of a self-paced and flexible option.  Either route trains you to pass the same practical and written exams.  Do some homework and make the choice that's right for you.

4. Study, Fly, Repeat!

The great thing about training is that the curriculum for learning to fly--Part 61 or 141--is so concrete!  You'll start your training with ground and flight lessons from your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).  This is usually a 1:1 student:teacher ratio!  The best thing about your first license is that there is so much new and "basic" information to learn about flying.  It truly is fun. Some things you'll learn about include:

• Areas of Operation 
• Preflight Procedures 
• Takeoffs, Landings & Go-Arounds 
• Performance Maneuvers
• Ground Reference Maneuvers
• Navigation 
• Slow Flight & Stalls
• Basic Maneuvers
• Emergency Ops
• Night Operation (see video below)

If you are able to fly 2-3 times per week, it should only take you about 4 months to get to the check ride (and approximately $7-10K).  Although I took the Part 141 route, I was only able to train part-time or on the weekends.  It took me about 5 months to complete my Private Pilot's License and 58.2 flight hours (To see my cost breakdowns, visit my Training Costs page).  I trained while maintaining three other jobs...so you can do it too!

5. Examination

Does it sound intimidating?  It is.  First, you have to pass a "written" test.  This is a computer based knowledge exam.  Here's an example of some of the questions you'd see:

Source: FAA Private Pilot Sample Exam

Once you pass your written, it's time to schedule the Check Ride.  The check ride consists of two parts: an oral exam and a practical (flight) exam; in total the exam could take up to ten hours!  The exam is one on one with an FAA Designated Examiner.  Bring water because cotton mouth is guaranteed.  You will be tested on the FAA's Private Pilot Practical Test Standards, which is what your training prepares you for.  But literally anything in the linked document above is fair game.  It's a lot! As it should be.

So, Congratulations!  Once you pass your check ride you are a Private Pilot!   Whether owning or renting an aircraft, you can now enjoy getting from point A to point B in a straight line with no car traffic, you can fly to other airports for a $100 Burger, fly up north to your lake home, enjoy scenic flights with friends, and so many other possibilities!

That's it: five steps. You should do one of the first two in the next month if you're really interested!  If you're fit to fly and enjoy a challenge--you will love learning to fly.  Subscribe to my blog by entering your e-mail to the right so you won't miss my next post in this "How To Become a Pilot" series!