Arizona, USA – Sierra Charlie Aviation, a flight school, has expanded its fleet from two to 17 aircraft, growing its operations to achieving over 290 flight hours per aircraft monthly. This growth is attributed to the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), optimized scheduling, and the integration of Flight Schedule Pro (FSP) software.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Sierra Charlie standardized processes such as pre-flight briefings and aircraft handovers, ensuring consistency and efficiency across operations. This approach provided a clear framework for staff and students, facilitating smooth operations.
• Optimized Scheduling: Drawing inspiration from airline efficiency models, the school minimized downtime between flights. By implementing structured training blocks and a four-week scheduling window, they reduced cancellations and maintained a steady flow of training sessions.
• Technology Integration: Utilizing Flight Schedule Pro, Sierra Charlie streamlined scheduling, monitored aircraft and instructor utilization, and made data-driven decisions. The software’s features, such as Intelligent Scheduling, enabled the school to fill available hours effectively, maximizing resource use.

Statement’s

• “SOPs are critical because they provide a playbook for everyone to follow, minimizing variation and enhancing efficiency. If someone asks me a question, I want to be able to point them to an SOP for the answer,” said Luke Ormsby, Aviator Program Director at Sierra Charlie Aviation.
• “We’ve tapped into this untapped area where a lot of individuals don’t understand how much they can get out of their airplanes. We looked at airlines like Southwest, which operate at 290 to 300 flight hours per aircraft per month, and we used that as a target goal,” Ormsby added.
• “Flight Schedule Pro helped us take control of our operations. We could schedule flights for weeks in advance, predict maintenance needs, and ensure our planes were flying as much as possible,” said Luke Ormsby, Aviator Program Director at Sierra Charlie Aviation.

Source: Flight Schedule Pro
Photo Credit: Sierra Charlie Aviation