When Kenneth Karnes, now 75, recently started flying again after a several-year hiatus, he bought a Cessna 210 and began studying the airplane and procedures. One day his son, David, picked him up from the airport and noticed he was reading something. It turned out the elder Karnes had written a poem to help him remember his checklist.
“I read it and was pretty darn shocked and impressed,” David said. “He has never been a creative type and has never written anything before. I thought that it was a great idea, especially for older pilots who may need creative techniques to help them memorize.”
The younger Karnes thought the readers of General Aviation News might appreciate the poem. And, who knows? It might help some other pilot with their checklist.
Check List – Take-off, Cruise, Descent, Landing, By KENNETH LEE KARNES
Transponder to ALT and mixture set right, Apply Full Power to start this flight.
Fuel Flow Adjusted for Altitude here, Check Airspeed Alive, then Raise the Nose Gear.
Instruments Green, and Heat is OK, Rotate at 60, tap breaks and good day.
Flaps up at 80, Gear up at 90, Full Power to 500 feet,
Then 24 inches and 2,500, maintaining the climb to complete.
Fuel Flow adjusted, Instruments Green, Cowl flaps adjusted, The Airplane is clean.
You’re done with the takeoff and you got it right, Now follow the course to Full Throttle Height.
With AP “ON” to maintain course, continue your climb to the goal. Once there, cruise power set, engage the Altitude Hold.
See waypoints pass and keep up with the time, Keep an eye on the gauges and gas.
Be aware of the weather as clouds go by, And give others the room to pass.
When time is right to end the flight, descend at 300 feet, Back one inch per thousand feet on down to the pattern height.
With AP “OFF” and speed cut back and 18 to 20 inches, Set fuel to source; gear down, of course, And announce the pattern that’s right.
Downwind at 100 and flaps 10°, Recite and comply with the GUMPS.
Call and turn to Base with precision and grace, Not long til you are over the bumps.
On Base, adjust flaps. Check – Gear Down and Light Green, Look at the gear, then back in here,
Set power between 12 and 15.
Hold it just right, threshold in site, check runway and traffic again.
Call and turn final, more flaps if you choose; check power again to make sure.
Cowl flaps to open, prop to full in, check the mixture again.
Airspeed near 80, touch down at 60, more in gusty or crosswind.
Call when you’re clear and transponder off, Flaps up and no traffic near.
Lean mixture for taxi, and be sure of the route.
Once there, park right, shut-down, get out.