As people stated above, for flight control checks, it would be quick and simple for all planes to have someone look at all primary flight control surfaces as we twist/push-pull the yoke and push both rudder pedals, before taxi-out.
Actually that doesn't work too well. Three times I've seen people waggle the stick while watching the surfaces move, then take off and crash because the controls were reversed....fortunately they were only flying a model plane at the time.