1001001
Well Known Member
I really don't like mnemonics, as they never seem to stick in my brain. I can remember the cute acronym, but have trouble remembering what each letter stands for. It's easier for me to just remember each item in sequence or remember a physical flow.
That said, my early instructors taught me to do a "BLT" check--Boost pump, Landing light, transponder. Of the three, obviously the only one related to takeoff safety is the boost pump. I never used it much until one day I ended up taking off with the mixture leaned back far enough so that my power was reduced, but not so far as to stumble on power application. After that, I modified the BLT check to Mmm! BLT -- meaning "Mixture! etc."
Now, flying the Mooney, I have a lot more to check before I start to roll, so it's more of a physical flow from the trim and flap indicators up through the mixture and prop, over to the boost pump switch. All of this stuff is supposed to have been set in the runup checklist or before, so the physical flow is a final check that everything is where it ought to be before taxiing out on the runway.
All of this is making me think about what my panel design will look like, to make sure there is a reasonable and easy flow for critical items pre-takeoff. I am becoming a big fan of Mooney's panel layout (except for the engine instruments way over on the right hand side--but I have a JPI EDM right next to the six pack so that's not as much of an issue). I am going to try to emulate the clean panel design of the Mooney where it makes sense to in the RV-10.
That said, my early instructors taught me to do a "BLT" check--Boost pump, Landing light, transponder. Of the three, obviously the only one related to takeoff safety is the boost pump. I never used it much until one day I ended up taking off with the mixture leaned back far enough so that my power was reduced, but not so far as to stumble on power application. After that, I modified the BLT check to Mmm! BLT -- meaning "Mixture! etc."
Now, flying the Mooney, I have a lot more to check before I start to roll, so it's more of a physical flow from the trim and flap indicators up through the mixture and prop, over to the boost pump switch. All of this stuff is supposed to have been set in the runup checklist or before, so the physical flow is a final check that everything is where it ought to be before taxiing out on the runway.
All of this is making me think about what my panel design will look like, to make sure there is a reasonable and easy flow for critical items pre-takeoff. I am becoming a big fan of Mooney's panel layout (except for the engine instruments way over on the right hand side--but I have a JPI EDM right next to the six pack so that's not as much of an issue). I am going to try to emulate the clean panel design of the Mooney where it makes sense to in the RV-10.