Standard Operating Procedures for the General Aviation Pilot
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for any pilot or flight crew is a great topic to discuss within our flight groups and cockpits. Just about everything we do related to flying is a procedure. Such as, when we start to watch weather days before a flight, pre-flight planning, filling flight plans, weight and balance, preflight the A/C, are all done procedurally. Which means that we follow the same technique every time we go flying. We develop a consistency that we become so familiar with that it becomes second nature to us in our cockpits.
In commercial, as well as corporate and charter flying, SOP's are mandatory by FAR's and Advisory Circulars (AC), as well as company manuals and training documents. We have learned in all professional flight operations that following SOP's does make flying much safer; just look at the commercial accident rates compared to general aviation. Here is where the problem begins for non-commercial aviation!
There are NO rules or laws to mandate SOP's for the GA pilots. Flight schools such as 14 CFR Part 141, Pilot Schools and Part 142 Training Centers are all required to develop, follow, and train their instructors and students, in these pre-approved procedures. I have found an AC, No: 91-73B, which states "This AC is intended for use by persons operating A/C single pilot under 14 CFR parts 91 and 135 flight schools". This AC is for ground operations only to avoid runway incursions. that is basically all that is written for the GA single pilot operations. The Aeronautical informational manual, for example defines Traffic Patters, (Chapter 4, Section 3, Airport Operations). These are guidelines which when followed become "Good Operating Practices" and are known to provide a margin of safety, at any airport.
The best process we use regularly in the cockpit is the CHECKLIST, which is a compilation of the A/C manufacturer, any formal training, good practices, some regulatory items, and what we use individually in our flight operations. Checlists are guided by GOOD OPERATING PRACTICES, when and how to use them. These good operating practices become PROCEDURES that we use all of the time. Some of us need memory joggers to keep our thinking in the LOOP of our phase of flight. Don't be shy to call out loud things like "airspeed 60, turning final airspeed/altitude, landing, going around". This is what the Pro's do!
My advice here is to develop your own SSOP's that you are familiar with and that gives you the comfort level you need to fly safely. Write out your SOP's for each phase of flight, and review prior to going to the airfield. The SOP's don't have to be long drawn out "things to do", but more to jog your memory. For instance, taking your license and medical with you, how much fuel will you need, how will you taxi out on the runway, etc. This idea becomes your "Good Operating Practice", which becomes your personal SOP for the A/C you will be flying.
Flying clubs, small fractional and corporate flight departments should create SOP's that can be used throughout the fleet, even though the A/C are different. The SOP flows are characteristically the same and this is what the airlines and professional crews use today.
One more note, brief your passengers that you need "quiet time" during the most critical phase of flight. This gives the pilot time to think and concentrate and in essence you are creating your "Sterile Cockpit". This creates a safe working environment for a safe flight!
Fly Safely File a Flight Plan Follow your SOP's Brief your Passengers
Until Next Month
Will Rondeau