SOPs...Why?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Blighty
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SOPs...Why?
Can anyone out there please explain why airlines use SOPs. Obviously I know that the aim is to reduce errors and improve safety but how does having all the pilots fly the to the same proceedures actually achieve this?
Advice appreciated. (excuse my ignorance - I'm not an airline pilot...yet!)
Advice appreciated. (excuse my ignorance - I'm not an airline pilot...yet!)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Where its at
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So that it's not like flight school in that every time you fly with someone different they've got an entirely different method of doing everything. This way, we're all singing from the same song-sheet, and we're supposed to know who's doing what, and when.
What Caudiiio said.
Without SOP's chaos ensues.
I have had the unfortunate experience of having to work with some guys that think the SOP's aren't important or even worse insist on using SOP's from other airlines.
All too often you have no idea what they're doing and that's dangerous.
There was one guy in my airline that was so bad I refused to fly with him ever again. (And on top of that he's a Grade-A ****head)
Without SOP's chaos ensues.
I have had the unfortunate experience of having to work with some guys that think the SOP's aren't important or even worse insist on using SOP's from other airlines.
All too often you have no idea what they're doing and that's dangerous.
There was one guy in my airline that was so bad I refused to fly with him ever again. (And on top of that he's a Grade-A ****head)
Bottums Up
mightymouse111
Multi crew flying requires a high degree of co ordination and team work to be effective.
Without SOPs neither crew member would be sure of what to do when. Or, what to expect from their colleague.
By publishing SOPs, the company provides advice to the employees, as to how they want the aircraft operated. Adherance to SOPs improves flight safety by allowing both pilots to know what should happen, and when it should happen, so that if a particular process is missed, it it unlikely (but not impossible) that both pilots will forget it.
Without SOPs, such a process could be omitted because there is little or no structure, and thus the chance of both pilots forgetting because neither is sure who does what.
Having said all that, most (if not all) SOPs I have used have an exemption published some where, usually the preamble, to the effect that, SOPs cannot cover all eventualities and crew are expected to exercise sound command judgement.
This statement allows crew to deviate from the SOPs when in their judgement it is not the safest course of action to follow them. This should not be confused as an allowance to deviate simply because one doesn't agree with the SOP.
The exemption also caters to the old addage that, Rules are for the guidance of wise men, and the blind obedience of fools.
Multi crew flying requires a high degree of co ordination and team work to be effective.
Without SOPs neither crew member would be sure of what to do when. Or, what to expect from their colleague.
By publishing SOPs, the company provides advice to the employees, as to how they want the aircraft operated. Adherance to SOPs improves flight safety by allowing both pilots to know what should happen, and when it should happen, so that if a particular process is missed, it it unlikely (but not impossible) that both pilots will forget it.
Without SOPs, such a process could be omitted because there is little or no structure, and thus the chance of both pilots forgetting because neither is sure who does what.
Having said all that, most (if not all) SOPs I have used have an exemption published some where, usually the preamble, to the effect that, SOPs cannot cover all eventualities and crew are expected to exercise sound command judgement.
This statement allows crew to deviate from the SOPs when in their judgement it is not the safest course of action to follow them. This should not be confused as an allowance to deviate simply because one doesn't agree with the SOP.
The exemption also caters to the old addage that, Rules are for the guidance of wise men, and the blind obedience of fools.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SOPs also help when you don't know the guy next to you from adam.
In big airlines its rare that crew fly together more than a couple of times a year. Imagine what it would be like if you were flying an approch with one captain who insisted on gear at 3 miles and the other at 12 miles. Apply the same to their views on PF and PNF duties and it would reduce to a one man operation with a monkey on the rhs to press buttons when commanded instead of an intelligent helper who can anticipate actions and contribute to the safe running of the trip.
SOPs just make it easier.
In big airlines its rare that crew fly together more than a couple of times a year. Imagine what it would be like if you were flying an approch with one captain who insisted on gear at 3 miles and the other at 12 miles. Apply the same to their views on PF and PNF duties and it would reduce to a one man operation with a monkey on the rhs to press buttons when commanded instead of an intelligent helper who can anticipate actions and contribute to the safe running of the trip.
SOPs just make it easier.
