Without doubt there are a plethora of pre-flight and pre-takeoff check routines which individuals firmly believe to be best. It is my belief that before a walk round check all control locks should be removed, oil checked, fuel on selected, visual fuel check etc. should all be completed first. There may be that there are checks peculiar to the type. The walk round will then confirm all jobs have been completed; control locks have been removed, inspection hatches secured, no fuel drains leaking and flying surfaces have full and free movement in the correct sense including the trim. Once in the aeroplane full and free movement of the stick/column including the rudder and the surfaces are deflected correctly and fully. After starting there are of course a series of engine checks. With aircraft that have a rudder fixed to the nose wheel then full and free movement of the rudder can be checked taxiing to the runway.
Whilst the list seems long for anyone in a hurry for the pilot who regularly completes the checks then its a few minutes. Much was made of the military background in the video. Safety is a team discipline in the airforce and it is to a very high standard, but the pre-flight is not completed by the pilot. So, was the pre-flight routinely completed by said pilot is the question I would ask?