SOP

King Airways - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Revision: 1.0 Effective Date: April 25, 2025

1. General Policies and Conduct

• 1.1 Professionalism: All King Airways pilots shall maintain the highest standards of professionalism in all communications and actions, both in the virtual skies and within the King Airways community. This includes respectful and courteous interactions with fellow pilots, air traffic controllers (virtual or automated), and the general flight simulation community.

2. Pre-Flight Procedures

• 2.1 Flight Planning:
  • Pilots shall conduct thorough pre-flight planning, considering the performance characteristics and limitations of the specific aircraft being flown.
  • C172: Emphasis on accurate weight and balance for smaller aircraft, runway length considerations, and VFR flight planning principles.
  • Citation Longitude & TBM 930: Focus on high-altitude operations, performance charts for turbine aircraft, and potential for more complex routing and ATC procedures.
  • 737-800 MAX: Adherence to airline-style flight planning, including detailed route analysis, ETOPS considerations (if applicable for planned routes), and familiarity with FMC/CDU operations.
  • Flight plans should be filed according to the requirements of the chosen virtual ATC network or server.
  • Pilots should be familiar with all departure and arrival procedures, including Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs), appropriate to the aircraft's capabilities.
  • Alternate airports should be selected and briefed, considering the performance of the specific aircraft in case of diversion.
• 2.2 Aircraft Preparation:
  • Pilots shall ensure the correct aircraft is selected and configured according to the planned flight, utilizing appropriate checklists for that specific model.
  • Weight and balance calculations must be performed accurately, paying close attention to the specific limitations of each aircraft type.
  • All aircraft systems should be checked for proper operation using aircraft-specific pre-flight checklists.
  • Navigation databases and charts should be current for the avionics suite of the selected aircraft (e.g., G1000, Garmin avionics in the Longitude/TBM, or the 737's FMC).
• 2.3 Briefings:
  • Prior to departure, the PIC shall conduct a briefing (either self-briefing or with the virtual First Officer, if applicable) covering:
    • Route and significant waypoints, considering the navigational capabilities of the aircraft.
    • Weather conditions and forecasts, paying attention to factors relevant to the aircraft's operating envelope (e.g., icing for the TBM 930 and 737).
    • Departure and arrival procedures, specifically noting any speed or altitude restrictions relevant to the aircraft type.
    • Emergency procedures specific to the aircraft being flown (e.g., engine failure in a single-engine C172 vs. a twin-engine Longitude or 737).
    • Any specific instructions or considerations for the flight.

3. Flight Operations

• 3.1 Adherence to Flight Plan: Pilots shall adhere to the filed flight plan unless instructed otherwise by virtual ATC or when safety dictates a deviation, considering the different performance characteristics of each aircraft.
• 3.2 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Procedures:
  • Pilots shall maintain constant communication with virtual ATC when under their control, using appropriate phraseology and acknowledging clearances with the correct aircraft callsign (including aircraft type if necessary for clarity).
  • All ATC clearances and instructions must be read back correctly and complied with promptly, taking into account the speed and maneuverability of the specific aircraft.
  • If unable to comply with an ATC instruction due to aircraft limitations, the pilot shall immediately inform ATC and request an alternative.
• 3.3 Standard Calls: Pilots shall use standard aviation phraseology for all radio communications.
• 3.4 Checklists: Aircraft-specific checklists shall be used for all phases of flight for the selected aircraft model.
• 3.5 Flight Monitoring: Pilots shall continuously monitor aircraft systems, performance, and the surrounding environment, paying attention to parameters specific to each aircraft (e.g., engine temperatures and pressures in turbine aircraft).
• 3.6 Sterile Cockpit: During critical phases of flight (taxi, takeoff, landing, and flight below 10,000 feet), the cockpit shall be kept "sterile," meaning non-essential conversation and activities are prohibited, regardless of the aircraft type.
• 3.7 Use of Automation:
  • C172: Emphasis on basic flight control and understanding of the autopilot (if equipped). Pilots should maintain proficiency in manual flight.
  • Citation Longitude & TBM 930: Pilots should have a thorough understanding of the integrated avionics systems (e.g., Garmin G5000/G3000) and their autopilot and flight director functionalities. Proper use of automation for navigation and workload management is expected, while maintaining manual flight proficiency.
  • 737-800 MAX: Pilots must have a strong understanding of the Flight Management Computer (FMC/CDU), autopilot, flight director, and auto-throttle systems. Automation should be used effectively in accordance with standard airline procedures, with a focus on mode awareness and the ability to intervene manually when necessary.
• 3.8 Fuel Management: Pilots shall continuously monitor fuel consumption and ensure sufficient fuel reserves are maintained throughout the flight, considering the fuel burn characteristics of the specific aircraft.
• 3.9 Weather Encounters: Pilots shall exercise caution when encountering adverse weather conditions. Decisions regarding deviations or holding should consider the aircraft's capabilities and limitations in different weather phenomena (e.g., icing on the TBM 930 and 737).

4. Approach and Landing Procedures

• 4.1 Approach Briefing: Prior to commencing an approach, the PIC shall conduct a detailed aircraft-specific approach briefing, including:
  • Approach type and runway.
  • Navigation frequencies and navaid identification relevant to the aircraft's navigation systems.
  • Minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision altitude (DA).
  • Missed approach procedure specific to the approach and airport.
  • Significant terrain or obstacles.
  • Weather conditions at the destination, including wind and visibility, and their impact on the specific aircraft.
  • Aircraft-specific landing configuration and speeds.
• 4.2 Stabilized Approach: A stabilized approach shall be established by a predetermined altitude appropriate for the aircraft type (e.g., lower for the C172 compared to the 737). A stabilized approach is characterized by:
  • Correct landing configuration for the specific aircraft.
  • Appropriate airspeed for the aircraft's weight and configuration.
  • Stable descent rate.
  • Engines spooled appropriately for the phase of flight (especially important for turbine aircraft).
  • Aligned with the runway.
• 4.3 Go-Around/Missed Approach: If a stabilized approach cannot be maintained or if visual references are lost below MDA/DA, a go-around or missed approach shall be executed immediately in accordance with the published procedure or ATC instructions, considering the performance characteristics of the aircraft during a go-around.

5. Post-Flight Procedures

• 5.1 Taxi to Gate/Parking: Pilots shall adhere to airport ground markings and ATC instructions during taxi after landing.
• 5.2 Aircraft Shutdown and Securing: Pilots shall follow the correct procedures for shutting down the aircraft and ensuring it is properly secured.
• 5.3 Reporting: Pilots shall submit a flight report through the designated King Airways system, including any relevant details, incidents, or observations.
• 5.4 Debriefing (Optional): After the flight, pilots are encouraged to participate in debriefings (if applicable) to discuss the flight and identify any areas for improvement.

6. Emergency Procedures

• 6.1 Familiarization: Pilots shall be thoroughly familiar with the emergency procedures outlined in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) or Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for each aircraft they are authorized to fly within King Airways.
• 6.2 Prioritization: In an emergency, the priority shall be to maintain aircraft control, analyze the situation using aircraft-specific knowledge, and take appropriate action based on the POH/AFM procedures.
• 6.3 Communication: Pilots shall communicate the emergency to ATC (if applicable) using standard emergency callouts (e.g., "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"), clearly stating the aircraft type if it aids in understanding the situation.
• 6.4 Checklists: Emergency checklists specific to the aircraft type must be used to guide the pilot's actions.
• 6.5 Decision Making: The PIC shall make timely and decisive decisions based on the available information and their knowledge of the aircraft's capabilities and limitations in emergency situations.

7. Training and Proficiency

• 7.1 Initial Training: New King Airways pilots shall undergo an initial training program covering these SOPs and aircraft-specific procedures for each type they will operate. This will include differences training when transitioning between aircraft types.
• 7.2 Recurrent Training: Pilots may be required to participate in recurrent training or proficiency checks tailored to the specific aircraft they fly, as determined by King Airways management.
• 7.3 Currency: Pilots are responsible for maintaining currency on each aircraft type they operate, including regular practice flights in those specific models.

8. Amendments

• These SOPs may be amended from time to time by King Airways management. Pilots will be notified of any changes, and the latest version will be made available through the designated King Airways communication channels.