How the QRH failure checklists guide pilots during system malfunctions

Navigating the QRH: What a Failure Checklist Actually Contains (SkyWest ERJ CQ/KV Context)

In the cockpit, when the unexpected happens, pilots reach for the Quick Reference Handbook—the QRH. It isn’t a novel or a long manual; it’s a compact, action-focused guide that helps crews manage abnormalities and keep flight safety front and center. You’ll hear this playbook referred to as the source of truth for “what to do when something malfunctions.” That brings us to the core question: what exactly is included in the failure checklists?

Let’s start with the basics. The QRH is built to be fast, accessible, and unambiguous. It’s organized so a crew member can locate the right procedure in seconds, not minutes. In the SkyWest ERJ environment, where efficiency and safety go hand in hand, those checklists are a lifeline. They lay out the sequence of actions, the communication cues, and the flight-path adjustments needed to regain control or safely divert when a system isn’t behaving as it should.

What’s actually inside the failure checklists?

• Step-by-step actions for system malfunctions

The core of the failure checklist is a clear, ordered set of actions. It starts with a quick assessment of what’s wrong, moves through the immediate steps to stabilize the aircraft, and then guides the crew through troubleshooting to determine a cause or a safe alternative. Think of it as a recipe with safety baked in.

• Memory items (the stuff you do from memory)

Some actions are “memory items”—things you perform without pulling a checklist. These are the non-negotiables you must do the moment you detect an abnormal indication. The QRH then complements those with more detailed steps. The separation is deliberate: you act fast on the essentials, then methodically work through the rest.

• System-specific procedures

Each system (electric, hydraulics, flight controls, avionics, environmental controls, etc.) has its own set of abnormal procedures. The QRH clusters these by system so you’re not leafing through pages when you’re already juggling inputs, indicators, and ATC instructions.

• Troubleshooting guidance

Beyond the immediate actions, the QRH provides troubleshooting steps to isolate the issue. It isn’t just “do this and hope for the best.” It’s a guided path: verify indications, cross-check with other systems, consider alternate configurations, and decide if you can continue, need to divert, or must declare an emergency.

• Communications and coordination prompts

A big part of managing a malfunction is staying coordinated. The QRH includes recommended phraseology to communicate with air traffic control, dispatch, and crew. It also flags any required changes in altitude, heading, or airspeed that impact coordination and safety.

• Operational and safety implications

When a system misbehaves, it can ripple through the flight plan. The QRH helps you weigh whether to continue with the current plan, switch to alternatives, or execute a diversion. It keeps flight safety intact by tying procedures to real-world consequences—like maintaining safe airspeed, configuring for all-attitude control, and ensuring landing with an appropriate approach.

• Non-intrusive references to performance data

The QRH points you toward the relevant performance figures for abnormal configurations. These might include speeds, angles of attack, and flap settings that keep the airplane controllable and predictable while you work through the issue.

What the failure checklists aren’t

• Scheduling maintenance procedures

Those belong in a different part of the operation—maintenance planning and logbook entries—rather than the in-flight diagnostic path. The QRH focuses on in-flight abnormalities and how to handle them.

• Customer complaint or service procedures

Handling passengers, announcements, and service recovery sit outside the failure-alleviation realm. The QRH’s job is to guide the airplane through an abnormality safely.

• General administrative guidelines

It’s not a policy document or a how-to for ground ops. It’s a cockpit-focused tool, designed to get the aircraft back to a safe state from abnormal conditions.

Why the failure checklist format matters

The QRH’s design is all about clarity under pressure. When you’re facing a malfunction, you don’t want ambiguity. The steps are enumerated, the order is intentional, and the language is direct. This helps reduce cognitive load—your brain can focus on control inputs, not interpretation.

In the ERJ context, the crew is trained to distinguish between memory items and checklist-driven steps. Memory items are performed from habit, quickly and reliably. The remainder of the procedure is then executed with the QRH in hand. That split keeps the crew from freezing up, which is crucial when altitude, airspeed, and engine states are all in flux.

A quick walk-through: a simple malfunction scenario

Let’s imagine a hypothetical electrical anomaly mid-flight. The QRH would guide you through:

• Immediate stabilization: Identify the malfunction indicator, verify the symptom with other aircraft systems, and comply with any memory items. This could involve selecting a stable electrical configuration, protecting critical loads, or securing non-essential systems.

• System-specific steps: Open the relevant abnormal procedure for the electrical system. This will spell out actions like switching to alternate power sources, reconfiguring essential panels, and verifying the integrity of flight-critical displays.

• Troubleshooting: Cross-check indications against other systems to determine if the issue is isolated or cascading. The QRH helps you decide whether to continue with the current approach, use an alternate system, or declare a precautionary diversion.

• Communications: Contact ATC about any deviations or expectations, coordinate with dispatch if needed, and confirm which systems remain usable for navigation and approach.

• Decision point: Based on the data gathered and the aircraft’s performance, decide whether it’s safe to continue, what speed and configuration to hold, and whether a landing at the nearest suitable airport is prudent.

That’s the rhythm the QRH creates—speed, then structure, then safety.

How SkyWest CQ and KV learners can relate to this

CQ (Cockpit Qualification) and KV (Knowledge Validation) modules emphasize a grounded understanding of cockpit procedures and system behavior. While you’re studying, you’ll encounter QRH entries not as rigid rules, but as living guidance you can rely on when conditions change in the air. The emphasis is on knowing:

• The purpose of the QRH: a compact, accessible reference for in-flight abnormalities.

• The distinction between memory items and checklist procedures.

• How to interpret system indications and translate them into safe actions.

• The importance of precise ATC and crew communication during abnormal situations.

I’ll admit it’s a lot to learn. But the payoff is straightforward: you gain confidence in your ability to keep control under pressure, reduce noise in the cockpit, and make the right call when the airplane isn’t behaving like it should.

Tips for internalizing QRH content (without turning this into a grind)

• Build a mental map of systems

Know where the major system sections live in the QRH and what kinds of malfunctions each covers. When you see an abnormality, you’ll have a rough sense of where to look first.

• Distinguish memory items from procedures

Create a personal checklist of memory items you’d expect to encounter in typical ERJ scenarios. Use that as a mental trigger to move into the more thorough steps.

• Practice scenario-style thinking

Walk through common malfunctions in your head or with a study partner. Say what you’d do, then compare with the QRH. This helps fix the sequence in memory without relying on rote recitation.

• Focus on communication cues

In real or simulated scenarios, practice the exact phrases you’d use with ATC and your crew. Clear, concise communication reduces confusion and speeds up decisions.

• Use real-world analogies

Think of the QRH as a map in a storm. It won’t tell you every twist, but it shows the safe route, the checkpoints, and where you can safely turn if you lose your way.

• Stay curious, not overwhelmed

The QRH isn’t a doorstop; it’s a living toolkit. If you find a section vague, note it down and revisit it. The goal is fluency with the guide so you don’t have to pause when you’re in the middle of a situation.

Common questions students often have

• Why are some steps labeled memory items?

Because in the heat of an abnormal situation, you must react quickly. Memory items are those essential actions you do before you even have time to flip to a page.

• How do I know which failure checklists apply to a given problem?

The QRH is organized by system and abnormal condition. If you see a particular indicator or suspect a fault in a system, you’ll be guided to the corresponding section.

• Can the QRH cover every possible scenario?

Not every eventuality, but it’s designed to cover the most common and the most critical conditions. It’s a guide to manage risk, not a guarantee of outcome.

In short: The QRH is a pilot’s fast, reliable partner

The essence of the failure checklists is simple and powerful: they provide steps to take when a system malfunctions. They lay out the actions, the communications, and the operational adjustments needed to keep the airplane under control and passengers safe. For SkyWest ERJ crews, this tool isn’t just a reference; it’s a trusted companion that helps translate rare, high-stakes moments into disciplined, safety-first responses.

If you’re navigating the CQ and KV materials, keep this perspective in mind: the QRH is less about memorizing a dozen obscure lines and more about internalizing a dependable process. When the airplane throws you a curveball, you want your brain to say, “Here’s what we do next,” and then your hands, eyes, and radios synchronize to carry it out.

Final takeaways

• Failure checklists in the QRH focus on steps to take when a system malfunctions.

• They encompass memory items, system-specific procedures, troubleshooting, and clear communication prompts.

• They’re not about maintenance scheduling, customer service, or publicity—those lives sit in other parts of operations.

• For SkyWest ERJ crews, the QRH supports swift, safe decisions under pressure, with an emphasis on precision, crew coordination, and safe landing options.

If you’re digging into CQ and KV content, keep the QRH at the center. It’s the practical backbone of how pilots keep the skies safer for everyone onboard. And as you grow more familiar with its structure, you’ll notice it becoming less of a rulebook and more of a confidant—quietly guiding you through the unknown with a steady, repeatable rhythm.