Put It Together: DIY SOP

Weve discussed the benefits of personal standard operating procedures (SOP) for our own flying. Weve taken the main elements (Using an SOP in GA, September 2016) and began creating our own (DIY SOP Considerations, February 2017). Meanwhile, we tried to wean you from your do-list in favor of a flow and check (Change Your Checklist, October 2016 and DIY Flow and Check, January 2017). In this final article, we assemble a personal SOP for a light GA single.

Elaine Kauh

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A personal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for single-pilot general aviation, particularly for IFR flights, standardizes procedures to enhance safety, manage workload, and ensure consistent cockpit management.
Creating an SOP involves integrating flight planning, preflight checks, automation guidelines, specific checklists (flows, callouts), and abnormal/emergency procedures, tailored to individual aircraft and personal minimums.
Regularly updating the SOP is crucial to track improvements, reflect changes in regulations and skills, and ensure continuous adherence to best practices for flight operations.

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We’ve discussed the benefits of personal standard operating procedures (SOP) for our own flying. We’ve taken the main elements (“Using an SOP in GA,” September 2016) and began creating our own (“DIY SOP Considerations,” February 2017). Meanwhile, we tried to wean you from your do-list in favor of a flow and check (“Change Your Checklist,” October 2016 and “DIY Flow and Check,” January 2017). In this final article, we assemble a personal SOP for a light GA single.