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Flight Operations Safety Awareness Seminar (FOSAS)

Adhere to Standard Operating (SOPs)

Airbus Flight Operations Support and Training Standards

Nairobi, 19-21 Sep. 2017
SOP Regulation

The U.S. FAA defines the scope and contents of SOPs in Advisory Circular
(AC) 120-71B, that includes:
• General operations policies (i.e., non-type related)
• Airplane operating matters (i.e., type-related)

The European EASA defines the scope and contents of SOPs in IR-OPS
ORO.MLR.100 and associated AMCs and GM, and allocates the SOP in the
following pats of the Operations Manual:
• Part A : General operational policies (i.e., non-type-related)
• Part B : Airplane operating matters (i.e., type-related).

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SOP and Safety Standard

FSF Approach and

Landing Accidents
Reduction

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3 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
SOP Regulation

• The ALAR tool kit proposes Standard

FAA Operating Procedures Template

• EASA SOP slightly differ:

- No abnormal procedures

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4 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Airbus SOPs

 Airbus SOPs are designed in order to:

 Reflect the Airbus Cockpit Philosophy
 Reflect Airbus Family or Commonality Concepts
 Enhance optimum use of Airbus specific A/C systems
 Apply to a broad range of airlines operations and environments

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5 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
 Adhere to SOPs

Why do we need Defining SOPs and Using the SOPs and Deviating from SOPs
SOPs? Standard Calls Standard Calls

6 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

 Adhere to SOPs

Why do we need Defining SOPs and Using the SOPs and Deviating from SOPs
SOPs? Standard Calls Standard Calls

7 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

Why do we need SOPs?

The Standard Operating Procedures

 Define company’s operating philosophy

 Ensure standardization among the flight crew

 Define what-to-do and when-to-do

 Define PF/PM Task sharing - Who-does-What

 PM role as Pilot Monitoring
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8 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs?

The Standard Operating Procedures

 Provide basis for efficient crew communication and coordination (best CRM practices)

 Promote PF/PM mutual crosscheck and back-up

 Define Standard Calls and Deviation Callouts

 Prevent omission of actions and inappropriate actions (Checklists)

 Promote optimum use of aircraft-type design features

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9 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs?
% of
Factor
Events
SOPs: An effective Safeguard to minimize Inadequate decision making 74 %

potential for errors … Omission of action or 72 %

inappropriate action

Inadequate CRM practice 63 %

(crew coordination, cross-
 In daily / routine situations check and backup)

Insufficient horizontal or 52 %
vertical situational awareness

 Following interruptions, distractions … Inadequate or insufficient

understanding of prevailing
48 %

conditions

Slow or delayed crew action 45 %

 In unusual or high pressure situations Flight handling difficulties 45 %

Incorrect or incomplete pilot / 33 %

controller communication

Interaction with automation 20 %

Factors in Approach-and-Landing Accidents – FSF – 1998-1999

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10 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs?

SOPs: An effective Safeguard that

provides:

 Triggers: events or actions initiating groups of actions (called action-blocks)

 Action blocks: groups of actions being accomplished in sequence as a group

Trigger

Action block

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11 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs?

SOPs: An effective Safeguard

that provides:

 Action patterns: flight deck panel

scanning sequences or patterns
supporting the flow and sequence of
action blocks

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12 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs? ENG ANTI-ICE
WING ANTI-ICE
5
6 APU MASTER-SWITCH

SOPs: An effective Safeguard

that provides:

 Action patterns

 Some will memorize:

4 PITCH TRIM

 a litany…
 or, a gesture… GROUND
1
3 FLAPS
SPOILERS
 or, a design.
2
RUDDER
TRIM

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13 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs?

SOPs: An effective Safeguard that

provides:

 Standard calls: standard phraseology and terms

used for effective intra-crew communication ???

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14 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Why do we need SOPs? ???

Benefits of Standards Calls

 Are clear to identify

 Enable optimum use of automation
 Enhance flight crew situational awareness
 Effective interaction and communication
 Reduce the risk of decision-making errors
 Have the same meaning for all crews
 Provide the right information with a minimum number of words
 The importance of using standard calls increases with increasing workload or
flight phase criticality.
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Why do we need SOPs?

SOPs: The reference for Crew Standardization

SOP
SOP SO
SOPP

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16 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
 Adhere to SOPs

Why do we need Defining SOPs and Using the SOPs and Deviating from SOPs
SOPs? Standard Calls Standard Calls

17 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

Defining SOPs?

SOPs: The Company’s Operating Philosophy

 Company SOPs are :

 Based on manufacturer’s SOPs
 Adapted to suit Operator’s policies and
environment
 Periodically reassessed based on in-service
experience
Update of manufacturer’s SOPs

Feedback from flight crews and cabin crews

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18 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Defining SOPs?

SOPs: From In-Service Event Analysis

 Low speed runway excursion:

“In order to expedite the takeoff, I have set TOGA just after being aligned…”

SOP extract:

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Defining SOPs?

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20 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Defining SOPs?

SOPs: From In-Service Event Analysis

 Following other similar incidents,

SOP has been enhanced to
explain the rationale of the
published takeoff thrust
technique:

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21 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Defining SOPs?

 To avoid an over-abundance of SOP’s that may result from:

SOPs: From In-Service Event Analysis
 The need to adapt to constantly changing habits & policies
 The need to increase capacity & efficiency of operations
 The need to manage an increasingly complex environment

Everything should not be SOP-related …

SOP Target

Accuracy Simplicity

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22 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Defining SOPs?

 Basic airmanship skills, piloting techniques and training related matters are
SOPs: From In-Service Event Analysis
not SOP-related:
 Use of the weather radar
 Briefing techniques
 Crosswind landings and takeoffs
 Navigation accuracy check
 Flare technique
 Etc.

 SOPs have been designed for flight crews that have already been type-rated to
fly this type of aircraft and are current with the aircraft’s handling characteristics

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 ???
Defining SOPs?

 Standard calls should be defined in order to be :

 Clearly identified by the PF or PM; and,
 Distinguished from other intra-cockpit or ATC communications.

 Standard calls should be

 Included in the flow sequence of company’
SOPs (or summarized at the end of the SOPs)
 Illustrated in the Flight Patterns published in
the company’ AOM or QRH (as applicable).

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 Adhere to SOPs

Why do we need Defining SOPs and Using the SOPs and Deviating from SOPs
SOPs? Standard Calls Standard Calls

25 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

Using the SOPs Line Operations

SOPs: How to Use

 SOPs are:
 Performed by memory
 Supplemented by use of Normal Checklists for critical items

 Based on the “challenge and response” concept

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Using the SOPs Transition Training

SOPs: How to Use

 Disciplined use of SOPs and normal checklists should

begin during the transition training course, because habits
and routines acquired during transition training have a
lasting effect.

› Training provides an opportunity for pilots to discuss and understand:

› The rationale for SOPs
› The potential consequences of failing to adhere to them

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27 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Using Standard Callouts

Standard Callouts: How to Use

 Upon a Standard Callout:

 The other crewmember should accomplish the requested command or verify the
requested condition and respond accordingly.

 Standard calls may be generated automatically (auto callouts)

 In the absence of such auto callouts (i.e., due a system malfunction), the PM
should make verbally the appropriate standard call. (eg: « Minimums »)

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28 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Using Standard Callouts

Standard Callouts: How to Use

› The absence of standard call at the appropriate time or the absence of

acknowledgment may :
› Result in a loss of situational awareness for the other crewmember
› Be an indication of a system or indication malfunction
› Indicate a possible incapacitation of the other crewmember

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29 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Using Standard Callouts ???

 Standard calls are used to:

 Ask the other pilot to perform an action
 E.g. Flaps, L/G, Anti-ice...
 Use/Monitor the aircraft automations
 E.g. : AP , FD, A/THR engagement status
 Modes engagement status
 Check lateral and vertical trajectory
 Ex: Active F-PLN leg, altimeter setting, next altitude clearance…
 Initiate a Checklist
 Manage abnormal situations and failures
 Ex: Initiation of ECAM actions
 Detect and correct deviations from nominal flight parameters
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 Ex: Announcing deviations (bank, pitch, LOC…)
30 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
 Adhere to SOPs

Why do we need Defining SOPs and Using the SOPs and Deviating from SOPs
SOPs? Standard Calls Standard Calls

31 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

Deviating from SOPs

 To effectively enforce SOPs, it is important to understand why pilots deviate

from them:
 Inadvertent deviation = working error
 Intentional deviation = violation

 Many operational and human factors are involved in deviations

 Companies and pilots should:

FOBN: Safety First:
 Assess their exposure Effective
Briefings
Compliance
to SOP
 Develop prevention strategies / lines-of-defense
FOBN:
Normal
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Checklists
Deviating from SOPs

 Underlying factors that contributed to deviations from SOPs:

 Inadequate knowledge of the procedure
 Insufficient emphasis on strict adherence to SOPs during training
 Insufficient vigilance (i.e. fatigue)
 Interruptions (e.g. due to ATC com), distractions
 Task saturation
 Incorrect management of priorities for time-critical situations
 Reduced attention (tunnel vision)
 Incorrect CRM techniques
 Company policies
Source: NTSB, AIB, TSB, BASI on 132 Approach and
 Personal desires or constraints landing accidents

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 Complacency, overconfidence
33 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

…
 Deviating from SOPs – In-service event analysis
 Touchdown at 215 kt followed by tires deflation
 A320 in approach: AP OFF, A/THR in SPEED mode, FD in HDG-V/S mode

210 kt selected on FCU down to landing › Flight Guidance not as per SOP

CONF 2 selected (VFE = 200 kts) › SOP requests that PM checks the
> OVERSPEED warning speed before extending flaps
> CONF 1 selected and flaps no more
extended
Aircraft above G/S, high Rate of Descent › No crew action (repeated alert)
> SINK RATE GPWS alert

210 kt and CONF 1 until touchdown

› SOP requires to be stabilized at 500 ft
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(VMC); if excess deviation: Go Around
Deviating from SOPs – In-service event analysis
 Touchdown at 215 kt followed by tires deflation
 Lessons-Learned?
 Experience factor (new operator)

 Mutual crosscheck and back-up:

 Undetected / Unchallenged crew error

 Adherence to SOPs must be reinforced:

 Effective briefings (speed and configuration management)
 Standard call outs (SPD checked, deviation call outs by PM)
 Stabilization policy and go around policy
 … during recurrent training, line training, …
 Adhere to SOPs - Conclusion

Why do we need Defining SOPs and Using the SOPs and Deviating from SOPs
SOPs? Standard Calls Standard Calls

36 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS

Conclusion
How can Airbus Flight Operations
propose adapted standards?

Propose

Enhance Implement

Support

SOP enhancements benefits from airlines experience

Share the benefits with the whole fleet

New markets, new constraints… new standards

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37 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS
Conclusion
« Decades of experience stand behind SOPs »
SO
SOP
+ (Flight Safety Foundation ALAR Tool kit)
SOP SOP
P
Manufacturers should:
+Create SOPs that are logical, efficient and error-
resistant
+Supplement SOPs by decision aids, cockpit and
training systems to support quality decision-making

Adhering to SOPs Operators should:

+Promote the strict adherence to SOPs
+Identify and address the reasons for intentional or
inadvertent deviations from SOPs
38 Sep 19-21, 2017 ICAO/Airbus FOSAS