Originally Posted by
Check Airman
Surely you can't expect the SOP to cover every conceivable event. The GA SOP is written for the worst case scenario- a low level GA at mins.
I think it's reasonable for Airbus to assume that you can handle one from 2500ft without having to hold your hand. Would you then be inclined to file a safety report because you violated the SOP?
I understand this. But the problem stems from the fact that there are many operators in the world, including mine, where they induct Direct Entry Captains from a different type and release them after 100 hrs of training on the left. To be honest, with some newly released captains in my company, airmanship and situational awareness is virtually non existent. In their defense, they are transitioning from a Pilots' aircraft like Boeing to a Techies' aircraft 'Airbus' and they find it difficult to cope up with the automation initially. In such a context they condition themselves to follow SOP religiously so as to keep themselves well within the safety envelope.
So now if I were to execute a Go Around from that altitude with such a PM, he'd retract flaps because that's what the SOP says. The aim of SOP and FCOM procedures Is to keep even the less experienced guys within the safety envelope. Keeping that in mind, I find it prudent that a small note of caution on this scenario should be added, which would give everyone more awareness of what to expect and how to react.