Using Standard Operating Procedures in General Aviation

Some users of the National Airspace System live by Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and some do not. This is arguably the most significant difference between air carriers and general aviation when it comes to training, testing, and cockpit cultures. This is also, by some measures, a factor in accounting for the differences in accident rates. General aviation, particularly the single-pilot, personal-flying kind, relies not on the use of SOPs, but basic personal minimums for aeronautical decision making.

Key Takeaways:

• General aviation (GA) largely relies on informal "personal minimums" for aeronautical decision-making, a significant difference from air carriers' use of comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Personal minimums are often insufficient, failing to cover critical aspects like detailed IFR procedures, complex weather phenomena, and abnormal situations, leading to inconsistencies and potential safety deficiencies.
• The NTSB emphasizes that well-designed SOPs and disciplined compliance significantly reduce operational errors, improve decision-making, and enhance overall safety, benefits that GA could achieve by adopting tailored SOPs, even for single-pilot operations.

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