The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), alongside FlightSafety International and CAE, has released a new industrywide Airplane Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual to enhance business aviation safety. The initiative establishes a unified framework for pilots and operators across single- and multi-pilot operations worldwide.

Developed over several years with input from aircraft operators, manufacturers, and training experts, the SOPs provide a consistent approach to flight operations. They aim to reduce variability, improve safety performance, and support reliable crew coordination in multi-fleet and dynamic staffing environments.

The standardisation effort also generates high-quality operational data, which can inform the design of targeted training programmes and continual safety improvements. By embedding the SOPs into training curricula, pilots gain access to a clear, consistent set of practices that strengthen decision-making under operational pressures.

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen highlighted that the manual represents a significant collaborative milestone, providing operators with proven procedures to create predictable and safer flight environments. Timothy Schoenauer, senior director at CAE, added that integrating SOPs into training ensures pilots are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in today’s business aviation operations.

FlightSafety International’s executive vice president, Ben Carter, emphasised that the SOPs support operational consistency and provide a foundation for safer aircraft operations across the industry. The new procedures will be incorporated into training programmes at FlightSafety International and CAE starting summer 2026, allowing crews to familiarise themselves with the standards before implementation.

The SOP manual is a living resource. NBAA will continue to collect feedback from the industry to refine and update the procedures, ensuring that best practices evolve alongside operational and technological developments.

Explore how standardised SOPs are shaping safer and more consistent business aviation operations in the full story.