New Zealand company Crosscheck has developed and launched a cockpit aid to keep track of checklist items.
Known also as Crosscheck, the aid attaches to the top of the glareshield and presents pilots with several checklists and a method of checking off items with toggle switches.
The company says that Crosscheck was born from a need to remove paper checklists from the cockpit.
"Flying competes for attention with all the other things going on in my life and it's hard to achieve enough airtime to remain current," says Crosscheck innovator Mike Clegg, "so when I approach the aircraft on the apron for my next flight, I'm often feeling a little bit nervous and a bit out of practice.
"To counter those feelings, some years ago I developed a written, laminated checklist to guide me through pre-start routines, run-ups, and takeoffs. I found it very useful in calming me down and making me attend to the basics.
"However, this checklist often rested on the passenger seat amongst charts and clipboards, not readily accessible and forcing me to glance down repeatedly, a less-than-ideal scenario and prone to errors.
"Motivated by a desire to enhance my flying experience, I created Crosscheck."
Crosscheck contains a four-sided rotor that contains all the critical flight items on short checklists, and rotates through 30-degree detents until the pilot arrives at the desired checklist. As each item is completed, the pilot toggles a switch below to indicate the step has been completed.
The unit needs neither power nor batteries and attaches to the glareshield via Velcro, which encourages the pilot to keep their eyes up and not down inside the cockpit.
Checklists include:
- Pre-start and Start
- Taxi/Run Up and DVA/Take Off
- Joining/Landing and Clean-up/Shut Down
- Emergency Procedures - Forced Landing.
The company says the checklists are generic for most single-engined aeroplanes, both GA and recreational, but don't include RPM or any other settings. Complementary laminated paper lists are included for items that are more complex.
The aid is 200 mm W x 48 mm H x 50 mm D and weighs 0.31 kg. It retails for $NZ230.00.
More information on Crosscheck is available on the Crosscheck website.