Managing time critical checklists!

[Pitch Up Authority]

It is simple, there never is a curtain

Time critical applies to recall items, alerts at warning level and situations where the physical integrity of crew and/or passengers is at stake.

At all times the PF must be able to follow what the PNF is doing and visa versa.

Monitoring the flight path and configurations has priority and verbal confirmation by the PF of non-reversible items executed by the PNF is a must.

Given the above requirement it is the PF who sets the pace at which the checklist of time critical items are executed. Starting the APU is not time critical and can wait.

It is essential that the PNF continues to monitor the flight path in between checklist items a long as critical terrain and obstacles are not cleared, he must take the time to do that. The PNF will do that in between items as necessary in order to conduct an effective monitoring.

The PNF will assure himself that the PF is aware of each item of the checklist that is being executed, verbal confirmation is not needed to complete this task. This will set the pace for the PM.

This will assure that no time is lost and any effect of checklist items upon aircraft flight path control are spotted by the PF as they occur.

So the terms slowly, too fast or slow are irrelevant.

The real issue is not to loose time while completing the above mentioned tasks and not to do more than is required.