Flight Crews: Airplane SOP Manual Boosts Safety and Consistency

Not all air travel is created equal. True, there are certain universal, unwavering aspects such as airworthiness, but operations are subject to interpretation. Major air carriers understand that, while the same two pilots rarely fly together, company SOP manuals keep them aligned.

Business aircraft pilots may fly more routinely with known entities within their operations, but what happens when pilots switch organizations? Is there a way to ensure they approach flight ops in a standardized manner?

Resource Overview

Launched in October 2025, the Airplane Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual was created to “improve safety through standardization.” In February of this year, the manual received an update, incorporating best practices gleaned from member feedback.

“From an operator’s standpoint, I personally think the greatest strength of the manual is that it provides a common, manufacturer-agnostic framework based on proven, real-world practices,” said Michael Whannell, CAM, chief pilot for Jack Henry & Associates Inc. “It blends input from multiple operators and training providers into a logical flow that emphasizes standardization, threat and error management, and practical cockpit application, without being overly prescriptive.”

Jeff Wofford, CAM, of Flying W Aviation, said that “what stands out most is how this manual completely addresses critical issues, from threat and error management to Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT).”

Gray Stone Advisors Principal Jim Lara praised the manual. “The most impressive fact is that NBAA pulled this together,” he said.

Gap Analysis, Seamless Integration

Stewarded by the NBAA Domestic Operations Committee Training Subcommittee, with contributions from FlightSafety, CAE, EJM and others, this resource supports gap analysis, deploys seamless integration and standardizes professional development.

Many aircraft accidents and incidents stem from a failure to follow safety procedures. “The manual offers a realistic and relevant source to help a department standardize their operation and do things the right way,” Wofford said.

It also “provides a head start to smaller organizations not staffed to do standards development work,” said Lara. “It’s not quite ‘cut and paste,’ but it’s close.”

According to Whannell, an “industrywide SOP resource was needed because business aviation often involves multi-fleet operations, contract pilots and dynamic crew pairings. That variability can lead to inconsistency in procedures and CRM expectations. A common baseline SOP helps close those gaps, improving safety, predictability and crew coordination across fleets.”

Brief It, Train to It and Revisit It

Used correctly, the manual can be an effective tool to help align training programs and serve as a baseline for new operators. “Operators will get the most benefit when they actively tailor it to their operation, brief it, train to it and revisit it regularly, rather than treating it as a onetime publication,” Whannell said.

As Wofford put it: “You develop proven ways to accomplish a given task, either a preflight inspection or an escape maneuver during a CFIT event. SOPs provide a logical, straightforward approach to any operations.”

Training is the key. The manual can integrate well with simulators and initial training in the classroom. “What’s taught in training can now be brought back into ‘line operations’ with very little effort,” Lara said. “It enables the learning to continue and standardized operations to be practiced day in and day out.”

Download the Airplane SOP Manual now, at nbaa.org/airplane-sop-manual.