SOP Hub
This hub summarizes Wheels Airlines’ core procedures. Use Company SOP for full text and QRH for condensed checklists. All interactive checklists below save to your browser (local only).
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General
Qualifications
Flight Planning
Fuel & W/B
Ground Ops
Pushback & Taxi
Takeoff
Cruise
Descent
Landing
Shutdown
Abnormals
Radio
VA Rules
1. General & Conduct
- Realism-first with a friendly vibe. Help new pilots; keep comms professional.
- Use aircraft profiles from A320/A321 or 737.
- Prefer published routes; custom routes must be realistic and weather-aware.
Tip: If unsure about a procedure, brief it, agree it, then do it—consistency beats speed.
2. Pilot Qualifications & Ranks
| Rank | Hours | Privileges |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet | 0 | Training flights, short sectors |
| Second Officer | 25 | Domestic routes |
| First Officer | 100 | All standard routes |
| Captain | 300 | All routes & group flights |
3. Flight Planning
Pre-Dispatch Flow
- Create SimBrief plan using Wheels airframe & performance.
- Check weather/NOTAMs at departure, destination, alternates, enroute.
- Validate runway suitability (TORA/LDA, obstacles, contamination).
- Review MEL/CDL if applicable; plan performance penalties.
- File correct WLS#### callsign and hub.
"+checkItem("planning-pre","simbrief","SimBrief OFP generated & saved")+
checkItem("planning-pre","wx","METAR/TAF/NOTAM reviewed")+
checkItem("planning-pre","runway","Runway analysis checked (T/O & LDG)")+
checkItem("planning-pre","mel","MEL/CDL considered, if any")+
checkItem("planning-pre","callsign","Callsign & route filed correctly")+"
Alternates & Minima
- Choose alternates meeting legal minima; default preference ≥ 800/2 unless local procedure allows lower.
- Consider fuel, terrain, expected holding, and airport hours.
- Check NOTAM for approach availability (e.g., ILS OTS).
4. Fuel & Weight/Balance
Fuel Policy
Plan: Trip + Contingency (≥5%) + Alternate + Final Reserve + Taxi + Extra as needed (WX, ATC, MEL).
"+checkItem("fuel-policy","calc","Fuel calculation verified vs OFP")+
checkItem("fuel-policy","alt","Alternate fuel included (if reqd)")+
checkItem("fuel-policy","final","Final reserve meets policy")+
checkItem("fuel-policy","taxi","Taxi fuel realistic for airport")+"
Weight & Balance
- Verify ZFW/TOW/CG within limits; match SimBrief & FMS loads.
- If landing weight > MLW, plan hold/burn or divert.
- Cross-check trim settings and performance numbers.
5. Ground Operations
Before Push & Engine Start (Gate)
"+checkItem("ground-gate","refuel","Boarding during refuel per station rules; belts unfastened until complete")+
checkItem("ground-gate","doors","Doors/jetway clear, cargo closed")+
checkItem("ground-gate","beacon","Beacon ON before pushback")+
checkItem("ground-gate","clear","Chocks out / pushback clearance received")+
checkItem("ground-gate","brief","Taxi & departure brief complete")+"
Safety: Verify area clear prior to engine start. If in doubt, STOP.
6. Pushback & Taxi
Taxi Technique
- Taxi ≤ 20 kt straight / ≤ 10 kt in turns; adhere to hotspots.
- Full stop at hold-short lines; cross only with clearance.
- Control check during taxi only if safe; else complete at gate.
"+checkItem("taxi-technique","brake","Brake check & NWS verified")+
checkItem("taxi-technique","hotspots","Hotspots reviewed (Jepp/Charts)")+
checkItem("taxi-technique","hold","Hold-short compliance")+"
7. Takeoff & Initial Climb
Line-Up & Go
- Use reduced thrust when conditions allow; compute V-speeds and flex.
- Callouts: “80 knots” • “V1” • “Rotate” • “Positive rate, gear up”.
- Noise abatement per SID; follow initial routing and restrictions.
"+checkItem("takeoff","speeds","V-speeds set & confirmed")+
checkItem("takeoff","runway","Runway verified vs FMS & clearance")+
checkItem("takeoff","packs","Packs/bleeds per performance brief")+
checkItem("takeoff","clock","Chrono ON at thrust set")+"
8. Cruise
In-Flight Management
- Monitor fuel/time vs plan; step climbs per weight/optimum level.
- Weather deviations coordinated with ATC or announced on CTAF.
- Systems scan at least every 15–20 minutes; update ETA as needed.
9. Descent & Approach
TOD Actions
- Fuel check vs OFP; evaluate need for extra track miles.
- Get ATIS/ASOS; set QNH; check approaches in use & runway condition.
- Brief approach & missed; compute landing data (Vapp, autobrake).
- STAR & constraints in FMS; cross-check altitudes.
- Cabin ready call prior to final approach.
"+checkItem("descent-tod","atis","ATIS copied & minima set")+
checkItem("descent-tod","perf","Landing performance computed")+
checkItem("descent-tod","brief","Approach & missed brief complete")+
checkItem("descent-tod","cabin","Cabin advised / belts ON")+"
Stabilized Approach Criteria
Must be stable by 1000 ft AGL IMC / 500 ft AGL VMC; else go-around.
- On profile (±1 dot LOC/GS, ±10 kt target speed).
- Configured for landing, checklist complete, steady descent rate (<= 1000 fpm unless briefed).
- Thrust stabilized; only small corrections required.
10. Landing & Rollout
After Touchdown
- Autobrake as briefed; reverse per SOP and runway conditions.
- Maintain centerline; vacate when safe; do not stop on runway unless instructed/emergency.
- Strobe OFF when clear of runway; APU as required.
"+checkItem("landing-rollout","reversers","Reversers deployed/stowed per speed")+
checkItem("landing-rollout","autobrake","Autobrake disarm confirmed")+
checkItem("landing-rollout","after","After-landing flow started")+
"
11. After Landing & Shutdown
Taxi-In & At Stand
"+checkItem("shutdown","cleanup","Cleanup: flaps up, spoilers disarmed, lights set")+
checkItem("shutdown","apu","APU as needed; packs set for deplaning")+
checkItem("shutdown","park","Parking brake set / chocks in")+
checkItem("shutdown","beacon","Beacon OFF after engine spool-down")+
checkItem("shutdown","pirep","PIREP filed with notes (pauses, diversions)")+
"
12. Abnormals & Emergencies
Priorities & Quick Links
Priorities: Aviate → Navigate → Communicate. Divert early if needed.
13. Radio & Callsigns
Phraseology Examples
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| Callsign | “Wheels Seven Three Five, ready for push and start.” |
| Taxi | “Wheels Seven Three Five, taxi to runway 31L via A, hold short 31L.” |
| Position | “Wheels Seven Three Five, holding short 31L, ready.” |
| UNICOM | “Hobby traffic, Wheels 735, 10 miles north, ILS 13R, full stop.” |
14. VA Rules (PIREP & Sim Rate)
Policies
- Full gate-to-gate flights only. No slew/teleport. No time acceleration.
- Pauses allowed; note significant pauses in PIREP remarks.
- Landings ≥ −600 fpm flagged for review; repeated exceedances may impact rank.
PIREP Guide: From vAMSYS, submit your log with route, fuel used, and any abnormals. Include controller names if on VATSIM/IVAO.