Aviator John Zimmerman,author and vice president of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, gives sound advice for using standard operating procedures (SOPs). He writes:
“Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are commonly used in the corporate and airline flying world as a way of formalizing the do’s and don’ts of a flight department and making sure every pilot follows the same procedures . . . when it comes to IFR flying, I believe SOPs are a critical safety tool. . . . At the end of the day, SOPs are all about building in some margins . . . instrument flying is all about—follow the rules, every time, no matter what.
Zimmerman outlines eight SOPs that he follows on all IFR flights:
1. No second approaches.
2. No circling approaches at night.
3. No takeoffs with less than approach minimums.
4. All approaches must be stabilized from final approach fix to runway.
5. Always land with sixty minutes of fuel remaining.
6. If it’s really low, let the autopilot fly the approach.
7. Call out 1,000 feet-to-go on all climbs and descents.
8. Do a takeoff and approach briefing every time.”
Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember, p. 19-21.
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