This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
SOPs
Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures are documented, step-by-step instructions that define how flight crew should perform tasks during normal, abnormal, and emergency phases of flight. SOPs are developed by aircraft manufacturers and refined by individual airlines to reflect their specific operations, fleet, and regulatory requirements. They cover everything from cockpit preparation and before-start checks to approach briefings, go-around execution, and after-landing flows. The purpose of SOPs is to ensure consistency, reduce the potential for human error, and provide a common framework that crew members can rely on regardless of who they are flying with.
Adherence to SOPs is a cornerstone of modern commercial aviation safety culture. Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles reinforce the idea that both pilots share responsibility for following and cross-checking procedures. SOPs are not rigid scripts that override judgement - pilots are trained to deviate from normal procedures when safety demands it - but they represent the safest and most efficient path through normal operations. Airlines update their SOPs when new aircraft systems, regulatory changes, or safety investigations identify a better approach, and crews are trained on those updates during recurrent simulator sessions and ground school.