A pilot built flight-phase checklists and a crew rest tool with Claude

Steffen Kvamme@KvammeSteffen

As a pilot, working systematically is essential in a busy environment.

We have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and mandatory checklists to help us stay organized. However, checklists cover only critical items. The rest are handled from memory or through cockpit flows, where we scan the controls and instruments to identify what needs to be checked or changed.

This means it's still possible to forget things that aren't critical but are nevertheless important. For example, logging on to CPDLC before departure (a text messaging system between pilots and ATC) or ensuring the correct charts are available for the airport and departure route.

That's why many pilots develop their own tools to reduce the risk of forgetting things and improve their workflow.

I've built my own checklists for different phases of flight, starting as early as the planning stage. By working through each item, from NOTAMs and weather to fuel, I can systematically verify that everything has been covered, rather than relying on memory alone.

For the climb phase, I've also added a rest scheduling tool. On long-haul flights, we typically operate with three pilots, with one resting while the other two are on duty. This requires careful planning.

The entire Work Checklists section is available offline, even in flight mode. AI, specifically Claude, helped me build and implement it.

The tools are designed for my own workflow and do not disclose or reproduce any company-specific procedures or confidential operational information.

Here are a few more examples 👇