Table 1
Causal Factors related to SOPs
in Approach-and-Landing Accidents
Standard Operating Procedures
Page 1
AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Getting to Grips with
Flight Operations Support Approach-and-Landing Accidents Reduction
Airbus Industrie’ SOPs
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) published by Airbus Industrie are designed to achieve the following objectives:
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Reflect the Airbus Industrie’ cockpit design philosophy and operating philosophy;
.
Promote optimum use of aircraft-type design features; and,
.
Apply to a broad range of airline operations and environments.
The initial SOPs for a new aircraft model are based on the above objectives and on the experience gained during the development and certification flight-test campaign and during the route-proving program.
After they are introduced into service, the initial SOPs are periodically reviewed and enhanced based on the feedback received from various users (i.e., in training and in line operations).
Operator’ Customized SOPs
Airbus Industrie’ SOPs can be adopted without change by an operator or used as the basis for the development of customized company’ SOPs.
Customized company SOPs usually are established to assure standardization across the different aircraft fleets being operated by the airline.
Deviations from the Airbus Industrie’ SOPs may be coordinated with Airbus Industrie, such deviations usually require approval by the airline’s operational authority.
SOPs should be simple, clear, concise and directive; the level of expanded information should be tailored to reflect the airline’s operating philosophy and training philosophy.
Operator’s SOPs should be reviewed and reassessed periodically based on revisions of the Airbus Industrie’s SOPs and on internal company feedback, to identify any need for change.
Line pilots and cabin crewmembers should be involved, along with the flight standards team, in the development and revision process of company SOPs to:
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Promote critical and constructive feedback; and,
.
Ensure that rules and procedures, as well as reasons for their adoption are fully understood by end users.
Scope of SOPs
SOPs should identify and describe the standard tasks and duties of flight -crew for each flight phase.
SOPs should be accomplished by recall but critical tasks (e.g., selections of systems and changes of aircraft configuration) should be cross-checked by use of normal checklists, according to the phase of flight.
SOPs should be supplemented by information on specific operating techniques (e.g., adverse weather operation) or by operational recommendations for specific types of operations (e.g., operation on wet or contaminated runway, operation in ETOPS area and/or in RVSM airspace).
SOPs should assume that all aircraft systems operate normally and that all automatic functions are used normally.
Note :
A system may be partially or totally inoperative
without affecting the SOPs.
SOPs should emphasize the following aspects frequently involved in approach-and-landing accidents:
.
Task sharing;
