{"id":440,"date":"2009-10-28T14:22:19","date_gmt":"2009-10-28T21:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rocketsnw.com\/?page_id=440"},"modified":"2009-11-12T09:54:19","modified_gmt":"2009-11-12T17:54:19","slug":"checklist-check","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/northwestrocketry.com\/?page_id=440","title":{"rendered":"Checklist? Check!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robert Braibish<\/p>\n

October, 2009<\/p>\n

I have had several experiences at recent launches both personal and observational that inspired me to develop and share this information.\u00a0 The truth of the matter is none of us are perfect.\u00a0 That may come as a shock to some of you but it is the undeniable truth.\u00a0 In rocketry, one of the ways this flaw manifests itself is forgetfulness, and at the wrong time, to catastrophic results.\u00a0 I have seen Rockets tumble to the earth with a well packed parachute \u2013 neatly wrapped with a rubber band.\u00a0 I have seen the sky littered with the remnants of an otherwise perfect rocket because a mach-delay wasn\u2019t set.\u00a0 I have also seen the frustrating\u00a0frenetic\u00a0dash from the launch pad back\u00a0 to get the igniter – still sitting on the work table.\u00a0 Not all of these examples are \u201ctragic\u201d, but all of them could have been avoided with the use of checklists.<\/p>\n

Checklists are surprisingly easy to make.\u00a0 All one needs to do, is to mentally walk through the process of launching a rocket and write down each step.\u00a0 Doing this well in advance of a launch, even before departing for the site, affords you the luxuries of taking your time, thinking things through, and putting information in an organized order that works for you.\u00a0 A checklist should be a \u201cliving\u201d document.\u00a0 As you use your checklist, and you discover things that you want to include or things that you really don\u2019t do, note it on your list and make the revisions for next time. \u00a0Checklist can be as detailed or as simple as you\u2019d like. \u00a0Of course, the consequences of an overly simple checklist are obvious and will likely make themselves known at\u00a0the most inopportune time.\u00a0 Additionally, one should not try to standardize a checklist too much.\u00a0 A checklist that is too general may have critical elements specific to a given launch that are omitted.\u00a0 Conversely, a checklist that is all-encompassing can have so much detail that it becomes unwieldy and steps can get lost in the myriad of inapplicable information.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Having a master checklist as a basis for launch-specific checklist allows you to compile a comprehensive account of what you need to do then pick and choose what really needs to be there for a custom checklist.\u00a0 If you are conducting launches that are varied (say ranging from hobby rockets to multi-staged rockets with avionics) then launch-specific checklist are in order.\u00a0 If however, you are launching the same rocket with similar flights several times over the course of a weekend, then a single check list would do just fine.\u00a0\u00a0Take note though, even though the checklist may be the same, one should have a separate checklist for each launch.\u00a0 This is because each item on the list should be annotated to show its completion or its status.\u00a0 Reusing a checklist with its annotations and markings will increase the chances that something gets skipped.\u00a0 Finally, another thing to consider when making a checklist is looking for logical places to separate the list into separate lists.\u00a0 For example, a \u201cPreflight\u201d checklist and a \u201cLaunch\u201d checklist, to me, is a logical break.\u00a0\u00a0When you do this,\u00a0it might be\u00a0prudent to\u00a0include on each checklist an item that links the two.\u00a0\u00a0 For this example, the last item on the Preflight checklist could be, \u201cGet Launch checklist and launch equipment\u201d and the first item on the Launch checklist could be, \u201cReview Preflight Checklist\u201d.\u00a0 In this way, you can cover every detail associated with a launch weekend from packing the rig all the way through to doing a final look-around before you leave.<\/p>\n

One does not have to look too hard at the world around them to see that using checklists is a really good idea. \u00a0Would you want to fly on a plane that was serviced by a technician who \u201cHad it all in his head\u201d?\u00a0 Would you want to be operated on by a physician who did not document the exact procedure to be done prior to picking up a scalpel? \u00a0Would you be willing to drive your family across a bridge that was designed and built by people who expressed the sentiment: \u201cI don\u2019t need plans, I\u2018ve done this before.\u201d\u00a0 The reality is, things that are important to remember need to be put down on paper in case \u2013 no, because we forget them.\u00a0 It may seem unnecessary at times, but just consider the consequences of not doing it.<\/p>\n

Below are two checklists that I have developed.\u00a0 They are included here to serve as an example of what can be done.\u00a0\u00a0 If you want, use them as a starting point, but do develop your own list, it will be more meaningful, and then, use it; you\u2019ll be a happier rocketeer when you do.<\/p>\n

Preflight Checklist<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Initiate Flight log entry<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect recovery hardware and harness<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect rail buttons\/launch lug<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect parachute, parachute cover & shroud lines<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect motor casing & closures<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect motor retainer<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pack parachute & wadding (if used)<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Read motor assembly directions<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photograph or video reload parts and motor assembly<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Assemble motor<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enter motor information into Flight log<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect ejection charge seal\/ cap<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Load motor into rocket<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Install motor retention hardware<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inspect & test friction fit components and\/or install sheer pins<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Check CP\/CG<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photograph assembled rocket (side and aft)<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Weigh rocket & enter into Flight log<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inventory and resupply Launch bag<\/p>\n

\u00a8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Launch bag inventory<\/p>\n