The importance of knowing your numbers:
Yesterday I flew for the first time in months and if I didn’t know my numbers it might easily have ended badly.
Why? because this idiot not only failed to remove the pitot cover during the pre-flight, but he also failed to notice the lack of an airspeed indication until there was too much speed/insufficient runway to abort the departure. After a brief hesitation I elected to continue and fly a circuit by the numbers. Knowing what manifold pressure gives what airspeed in the various configurations proved to be a potential life-saver.
Glad you made it back, Stickandrudderman.
I have dropped preflight checklist items a number of times. It is worrying, but for me the common factor was talking. Either to others or to myself 
Peter wrote:
I have dropped preflight checklist items a number of times. It is worrying, but for me the common factor was talking. Either to others or to myself
Same in my case yesterday. I had six people around checking out the plane and trying to negotiate a paid ride. They came to check out a King Air listed for sale but wouldn’t walk near it until I departed. I rushed it because I didn’t want to break my friend’s sale efforts.
