Improving Safety in Part 91 Flying Through SOPs

Part 91 operators can learn something important from how commercial pilots work.

Monday, December 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET

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Pilots in the cockpit [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Commercial aviation's superior safety record, in contrast to general aviation's higher accident rate, is primarily attributed to the widespread use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that standardize decision-making.
SOPs are essential, step-by-step guides defined by the FAA to ensure consistent, predictable, and safe operations, providing a shared mental model for crews, reducing workload, and establishing clear safety criteria like stabilized approach parameters.
General aviation, often involving single-pilot operations, infrequent flying, and external pressures, would significantly benefit from adopting tailored SOPs to act as a "virtual co-pilot," provide objective policies, reduce reliance on memory, and thereby elevate safety margins.