Originally Posted by Tay Cough
H is Height. Sufficient for recovery by whatever minimum you choose to apply. The RAF always had 3000ft AGL which has generally stuck in civilian training, although it was always the height to abandon after a failed spin recovery. Few civvies wear chutes.
A is Airframe (UK). Gear, flaps and should also include "Brakes Off". Some types can have their rudder travel limited with partial brake (Chippy for one, I think).
S is Security. Harnesses, hatches, loose articles.
E is Engine. T&Ps, fuel state, carb heat, etc.
L is Location. Clear of cloud, controlled airspace, congested areas.
L is Lookout. Either one turn or two, totalling 180 degrees.
Exactly the way I was taught. Also include cowl flaps and speed brakes in the Airframe section. In a nutshell, Airframe is confirmation that the aircraft is configured correctly in the aerodynamic sense for the given maneuver(s) you are attempting. If it's attached to the outside of the aircraft and is configurable you account for it here.