Operational Procedures
Framework
ICAO Annex 6 sets operational standards; state rules and the operator's operations manual add detail. The MEL allows dispatch with specified defects; anything not listed must be serviceable.
Normal operations
Use checklists and SOPs. Read back safety-related clearances in full: runway, hold short, altitude, heading, frequency and squawk. Take-off and landing minima depend on approach type and crew qualification.
Fuel and alternates
Plan trip fuel, contingency, alternate fuel and final reserve. A destination alternate is required unless weather and runway conditions meet the exemption criteria.
Emergencies
MAYDAY for distress, PAN PAN for urgency. For an engine failure after take-off: control the yaw, establish the appropriate climb speed, identify, verify, feather or shut down, then follow the checklist.
Worked example
A twin turboprop at 20,000 ft loses one engine. First actions are to control the aircraft and hold Vyse, then identify and verify the failed engine, feather it, and only then assess performance and decide to continue or divert. Attempting to diagnose before controlling the yaw is a classic fatal error.
Traps
Reading back "line up and wait" as "cleared for take-off"; entering a runway without an explicit clearance; ignoring stabilised approach criteria; skipping the verify step in an engine failure drill.