Airplane Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual

NBAA’s Airplane Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual represents the culmination of a long-standing effort aimed at helping airplane operators follow the same, proven standards in multi- and single-pilot operations. The manual incorporates best practices developed with input from the largest to the smallest business aircraft operators, aircraft manufacturers and training experts. It is designed to improve safety through standardization, and ensure consistency among multi-fleet operators and dynamic crew and staffing situations.

The manual is designed for part 91 and 135 airplane operations with single-pilot, multi-pilot, single-engine or multi-engine operations.

Why Adopt This SOP Manual?

This isn’t just another document; it is becoming a cornerstone of industry training. By adopting these SOPs now, you are aligning your team with the future of flight training and evaluation.

How your peers are using this resource:

• Gap Analysis – Comparing existing procedures against industry best practices
• Seamless Integration – Clipping relevant sections to strengthen current SOPs
• Professional Development – Using the manual as a guide for standardization

The SOP Manual will be updated annually (or sooner for urgent safety mandates) to ensure you always have the most current guidance at your fingertips. Your feedback drives this project. If you have suggestions for how to improve the manual or best practices, submit your feedback to NBAA.

Download the Airplane Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual

To download Version 1.1 of this resource, released February 2026, complete the form below.