Seamless air travel to Rio de Janeiro is possible when you plan ahead, especially during peak season.

Recognized globally as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a gleaming metropolis surrounded by lush rainforests and pristine sandy beaches.

Embracing a laid-back atmosphere, Rio is a popular South American destination that attracts over two million visitors during the peak season months of December through February.

Rio de Janeiro International Airport serves as the city’s main port of entry and is the primary airport utilized for general aviation (GA) operators.

If you plan to operate to Rio de Janeiro, here’s what you need to know:

Main Airport

Rio de Janeiro International Airport
[IATA: GIG, ICAO: SBGL]

Rio de Janeiro International Airport (SBGL) is the central international airport used by business aviation operators when traveling to Rio. It is located in Galeão, Rio de Janeiro, eight miles northwest of Rio de Janeiro and approximately a 30-minute drive from the city center.

SBGL is a 24-hour airport of entry (AOE) with an assorted supply of GA parking. Customs and Immigration, runways and the ATC tower are also open 24/7.

An alternative airport to SBGL is São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (SBGR), the largest airport in South America and Brazil. Jetex’s facility in Sao Paulo, in partnership with GATGRU, ensures that all travelers receive Jetex’s high quality of service and support.

Santos Dumont Airport (SBRJ) is another alternative airport; however, while this location is convenient, SBRJ is not an AOE airport and parking is limited. Additionally, a domestic operating permit is required for multi-stop trips, delaying international flights to Brazil.

Fuel

Jetex recommends securing all ground handling and fuel requirements a minimum of 24 hours prior to arrival. While it depends on the demand, expect slight delays from the fueler.

Ground Transportation

For transportation between the airport and destinations within Rio de Janeiro, private (vehicle with pre-paid driver) transport is recommended. It’s wise to secure transport services at least 24 hours in advance to avoid delays. Airport taxis are considered safe, however avoid local city taxis for security purposes.

Permits

For domestic overflight permits, an average three business days lead time is officially required. However, this can often be approved within 48 hours of notice. For international operation to a single AOE in Brazil, permit lead time is 24-48 hours.

During the peak season (December to February), permit requests should be sent as soon as possible. Jetex’s established presence in this region accelerates permit processing times.

Parking | Slots

GA parking at SBGL is abundant, seldom fills up and longer stays are usually practical.

To obtain overnight parking at SBGL, a prior permission required (PPR) application is needed. While PPR can be applied for well in advance, it is only approved by the airport authority a few hours prior to arrival. There are currently no airport slot requirements at either SBGL.

NOTE:
Permit approval does not confirm SBGL parking and a PPR may be required.
Rio’s 2020 Carnival festival takes place on February 21 to 26 and many operators choose to arrive 24-48 hours earlier. PPR is not guaranteed and parking may not be available upon arrival; however, once PPR is accepted then overnight parking is rarely an issue.

Customs | Visas

Passengers may require visas for Brazil, depending upon nationality. If a visa is required, then it must be secured in advance. Visa upon arrival options are not available.
Citizens of the U.S., Australia, Japan, and Canada need valid passports; however, visas for flight crew, business or tourist trips to Brazil are not required.

Customs clearance procedure includes arrival security inspection of hand luggage and passport clearing, followed by screening of checked bags.

Climate Conditions

The summer months of December through February showcase tropical temperatures of 81°F (27°C) with humid and muggy conditions.

The city features a relatively cool season from May to October with November and April as intermediate months. The wettest season is summer, when skies are often clear or partly cloudy with associated showers and thunderstorms. There is an average of seven hours of sunshine per day from January to March.

With glimmering city skyline views intertwined with the mountains and the sea, Rio de Janeiro is an iconic South American jewel that can’t be missed.

The skies and airports of Rio are busier in the summer, especially for GA/BA operators, so it’s important to accomplish trip planning in advance.

Jetex can arrange fuel service and flight planning for you. Send in your fuel, ground handling and permit requests ASAP.

For transportation assistance and trip planning services, plan ahead and contact Jetex at info@jetex.com or call +1 305 306 4000.

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday that celebrates gratitude and giving. While the holiday is on November 28th, the busiest travel days of the year are the Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to “Thanksgiving Thursday.”

With peak season in place for the general aviation industry, it is wise for travelers to plan ahead and book their flights.

During the week of Thanksgiving, these top four airports see the largest surge in flights.
Here is what you need to know when operating in these locations:

[IATA: TEB | ICAO: KTEB] – Teterboro Airport

Located 12 miles from Manhattan in the New Jersey Meadowlands area, Teterboro Airport (TEB) is the principal and most convenient base for private aircraft in the greater New York City area.

The airport operates 24/7, while U.S. Customs is open between 0700L and 2330L. TEB is considered as a general aviation reliever airport, with 19 hangars on property. The airport does not permit operations of any aircraft in excess of 100,000 pounds.

Hangars and tie-downs are available parking arrangements at TEB. Slots are not required. Ground transportation from Teterboro Airport is available through car and taxi services.

Late Autumn in this region brings in temperature drops and moderate wind chills. Expect temperatures in the low 40-50°F (5-10°C), with possible cloudy skies and light rainfall.

NOTE:

Anticipate higher flight volumes and traffic congestion delays due to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 28. Alternative airports include JFK/KJFK and LGA/KLGA.

[IATA: OPF | ICAO: KOPF] – Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport

Designated as a reliever to Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) is located 8 miles North of MIA, 13 miles NW of the city center and 5 miles from the Hard Rock Stadium. OPF is also 30 minutes from Downtown Miami and Miami Beach.

The airport operates 24/7 with U.S. Customs on the airfield operating from 0900L to midnight local time – a one-hour advance notification is required through ATC (extended hours available upon a three-hour advance request). Control tower hours run from 0700L-2300L.

OPF does not require slots and features no landing fees. Hangars and tie-downs available for parking. Ground transportation services are available for scheduling from OPF. Expect partly cloudy skies in Miami with temperatures in the mid 70-80°F (21-26°C).

NOTE:

The airport is also home to the busiest U.S. Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue Station.
Standby airports include TMB/KTMB and FXE/KFXE.

[IATA: HNL | ICAO: PHNL] – Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), formerly known as Honolulu International Airport, is the primary aviation gateway for Honolulu, Oahu in the state of Hawaii.

Located just 6 miles from downtown Honolulu, HNL has four active runways, including the 12,000-foot Reef Runway which is the world’s first major runway built entirely offshore.

The airport and control tower, as well as U.S. customs, operate 24/7. HNL has no landing fees; slots are not required and only tie-downs are available for parking. Ground transportation from HNL can be arranged based on availability. Anticipate pleasant temperatures in mid to low 80°F (26°C), with partly cloudy/windy skies.

NOTE:

HNL is the largest and most utilized airport in the state of Hawaii. Expect higher than average flight volumes and delays over Thanksgiving week.

[IATA: ORL | ICAO: KORL] – Orlando Executive Airport

Conveniently located 3 miles from downtown Orlando’s business district and 14 miles from world-renowned theme parks, hotels and resorts, Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) is the ideal spot to land en route to any of these destinations.

ORL is open 24 hours, with the air traffic control tower operating from 0700L to 2200L and U.S. Customs operating from 0830L to 1700L. The airport also features full ILS capability.

Hangars and tie-downs are available for parking and slots are not necessary. Ground transportation is available and can be scheduled from ORL. Anticipate breezy and relatively cool temperatures in the mid to low 50-70°F (10-21°C), with partly cloudy skies and light rainfall.

NOTE:

Brace for an expected record number of travelers to Orlando this Thanksgiving holiday season. MCO/KMCO serves as an alternative airport.

*All foreign aircraft require a TSA waiver and eAPIS filing for Customs and Border Protection approval, depending on the nature of flight and/or size of the aircraft.

Jetex can arrange fuel service and flight planning for you. Send in your fuel, ground handling and permit requests ASAP. Parking will be limited during Thanksgiving week.

For transportation assistance, plan ahead and contact Jetex at info@jetex.com or call +1 305 306 4000.

Touted as the home of the biggest, the tallest and the most ambitious man-made architectural wonders in the world, Dubai has evolved from a humble fishing village into an ultramodern city boasting towering skyscrapers, supercars speeding down the highways and the latest in the world of fashion and luxury.

For an unforgettable experience that covers the best things this city has to offer, here are some exciting activities that you can only do and enjoy in Dubai.

1. Stand on Top of the World at Burj Khalifa, the World’s Tallest Building

Standing at 828 meters high, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa can be seen from all over the city. / by Hans-Jürgen Schmidt

No trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to the iconic Burj Khalifa, an 828-meter high skyscraper crowned by Guinness World Records as the tallest building in the world.

High-speed elevators – the fastest double deck elevators in the world – take guests straight to the 124th floor in just a minute, where guests can discover the history of Burj Khalifa through a series of fascinating exhibits.

See the city spread out before you when you visit At The Top Sky Lounge and enjoy uninterrupted panoramic views of Dubai at the world’s highest observation deck.

Best times to visit are during sunset when the sky is vibrantly painted with colors of gold, pink and purple, or during nighttime when the city’s impressive skyline glitters spectacularly like diamonds.

Fancy some high-altitude fine dining? Aside from offering unbelievably beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf, the At.mosphere resto-bar lounge on level 122 raises the luxury dining experience to new heights with their critically acclaimed menu of original and exclusive culinary creations.

2. Watch World-class Performances at Dubai Opera, the Region’s Cultural Hub

Inspired by the shape of a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, Dubai Opera hosts theater shows, opera, ballet, concerts, gala dinners, banquets and even weddings.

From sensational Broadway shows to enchanting ballet performances, Dubai Opera brings the best stage performances from all over the world to Dubai.

Nestled in The Opera District in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the 2,000-seat performing arts center can transform into a theater, a concert hall, and a flat floor, giving it the unique versatility to host theater shows, opera, ballet, concerts, gala dinners and banquets.

Designed by renowned architect Janus Rostock of Atkins, Dubai Opera’s distinct shape is inspired by a dhow, a traditional sailing vessel in the Arabian region.

Want to see what goes behind the scenes? Dubai Opera offers private backstage tours where you will be taken to the backstage areas and dressing rooms, trap room and sound room, while getting to know the meticulous production that goes into each and every show.

Public tours are also available for guests who want to know more about the unique history and cultural heritage that inspired Dubai Opera.

3. Shop and Dine at One of the Biggest Malls on the Planet

A magical performance from the Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing fountain & largest choreographed fountain system in the entire world.

Where to best shop until you drop? At The Dubai Mall, the largest shopping destination in the world with over 1,200 retail stores and more than 200 brands, including the most coveted high-end labels in fashion such as Armani, Cartier, Gucci, Valentino and more.

Situated right next to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall offers more than an unrivaled shopping experience. With an area equal to 200 football pitches, Dubai Mall showcases exceptional entertainment and leisure options, including an Olympic-sized ice rink, a 24-meter high indoor waterfall, a 22-screen multiplex cinema, and the breathtaking Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, where you can marvel at more than 33,000 marine animals up close.

Don’t miss the brilliant show of the Dubai Fountain – the tallest performing fountain and largest choreographed fountain system in the world. Dancing to a selection of classical and contemporary Arabic and world music, Dubai Fountain shoots 22,000 gallons of water up to 500-feet high, dazzling spectators with a magnificent movement of water, colors and sound orchestrated to perfect precision.

If you want to get closer, you can book a traditional Abra ride on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, or get a pass to the Dubai Fountain Boardwalk, a floating platform that takes you as close as 9 meters from the fountain. Designed by the people behind the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas, the Dubai Fountain amazes the crowd every 30 minutes throughout the evening.

4. Soak Up the Sun and Make a Splash at the Beach

Head over to Umm Suqeim Beach and take a selfie with Burj Al Arab. / by Keerthi Ramesh

Sitting on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is home to many stunning beaches that rival some of the world’s most famous summer getaways.

Famous for its stunning views of the eye-catching sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, Umm Suqeim Beach is popular among locals and tourists looking to get a healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air, with picturesque views of the sea as their backdrop.

If you want to bask under the sun while enjoying easy access to modern comforts, then head over to JBR Open Beach. Surrounded by tall, sand-colored residential buildings, JBR Open Beach features a breathtaking coastline, a 1.8-kilometer running track, showers and public toilets. Dotting the beach’s vicinity are restaurants and retail stores where you can easily get everything you need.

Searching for a more private and relaxing setting? Palm Jumeirah offers numerous luxury hotels and resorts with their own exclusive beachfront facilities. The world’s largest manmade island, Palm Jumeirah is widely renowned for its palm tree shape, as well as its elite selection of upscale hotels, beach clubs, bars and restaurants.

With a colorful, vibrant and lively atmosphere, La Mer is the perfect beach hangout for people of all ages. The family-friendly beach resort offers myriad options when it comes to dining, shopping, water sports and recreational activities. It is home to the Laguna Waterpark, an expansive water paradise filled with exhilarating activities and fun attractions for both the adventurous and the laidback.

5. Conquer the Desert with a Thrilling Desert Safari Experience

Uncover the secrets of the Arabian Desert with a desert safari tour. / by Sarbjit Singh

From sublime panoramic vistas of the beach, we move to the dramatic landscape of the golden Arabian Desert. Just a short drive from the city is a multitude of desert attractions waiting to be uncovered. Desert safari tours are the most popular way to explore the desert, where guests enjoy an exhilarating dune-bashing activity in the safety and comfort of a 4×4 vehicle.

At a Bedouin-style desert camp, guests are treated to a lavish Arabic buffet spread while being entertained by traditional performances including hypnotic Tanoura dance shows and mesmerizing belly dance performances. A celebration of local culture, desert safari camps include falconry displays, shisha of different flavors, and tents where guests can get henna tattoos.

Have you ever dreamed of spending the night in the desert under the beauty of countless stars? You can book an overnight desert safari tour and see the infinite sky be illuminated by innumerable stars, before ushering in the splendor of dawn.

6. See the Stunning Contrast of Old and New Dubai from the Dubai Frame

Featuring two unique perspectives, Dubai Frame shows how Dubai is paying homage to its rich past while ambitiously working towards the future. / by Kamil Żywolewski

An imposing structure separating the old and new districts of Dubai, the Dubai Frame is another architectural feat that is hard to miss within the city’s world-renowned skyline.

A tribute to Dubai’s rich past and its remarkable present-day development, the Dubai Frame showcases three key galleries that celebrate its past and present and highlights its ambitious plans for the future.

Enjoy a cup of coffee as you admire expansive views of Old and New Dubai from a 150-meter high vantage point. Feast your eyes on awe-inspiring views of the sunset as you take in the hustle and bustle of the city below that can be seen through the glass walkways of Dubai Frame.

7. Be Enchanted with the Flower-filled Beauty of Dubai Miracle Garden

This life-size version of the Emirates A380 is the world’s largest floral installation, located in none other than the world’s largest natural flower garden: Dubai Miracle Garden. / by Валентина Цибульская

Enter a world filled with the beauty, colors and scents of millions of flowers at the Dubai Miracle Garden – the world’s largest natural flower garden. Visually captivating flower arrangements take center stage in this enormous 72,000-square meter garden, where the world’s floral installation can be fittingly found: a life-size version of the Emirates A380.

From gazebos and cabanas adorned with the loveliest flowers, to intricately designed flower castles and flower arches, Dubai Miracle Garden is truly a sight to behold.

Take a leisurely stroll along the immensely popular hearts and butterfly passages. Explore the secrets of the vast Lake Park and take selfies with the attention-grabbing Big Teddy Bear and Mickey Mouse flower installations.

Within Miracle Garden you can also find the Dubai Butterfly Park, currently the largest butterfly garden in the region and in the world with over 15,000 butterflies from 26 different species.

Plan Your Trip to Dubai With Jetex

Want to have the best travel experience to Dubai? Let the Jetex Experience team help you. With our industry-leading expertise, exclusive partnerships and extensive global connections, we can arrange a smooth and relaxing travel experience especially for you.

Contact our team today on +971 4 212 4088 or send us a message at experience@jetex.com.

What is turbulence and how can it be avoided?

Everyone has experienced a bout of turbulence when traveling on a commercial flight or private jet. It could have lasted a few moments or an hour – usually when you’re about to enjoy a beverage or need to use the restroom. Turbulence is a common occurrence on most flights – but what is turbulence? How is it caused and is it dangerous? We answer the most common questions and dismiss myths about turbulence.

Let’s look at the reasons why it happens.

Types of turbulence

You have probably heard that bad weather causes turbulence, which is not wrong. However there a range of factors that cause turbulence.

Mechanical Turbulence: This is caused by irregular air flow over the surface of the Earth, usually caused by hills, mountains and buildings. Friction between the air and the ground causes eddies and irregular wind flow patterns, so during take-off and landing the turbulence can be more pronounced.

Mountain Wave Turbulence: As air travels over mountain ranges, turbulent eddies are created downwind and cause a wave-like pattern. These breaking waves and rotors can create severe turbulence and can be found for hundreds of miles downwind from a mountain.

Frontal Turbulence: A weather front is caused when two different air masses of different densities and temperatures begin to transition. Cold fronts are associated with thunderstorms and warm fronts with fog and precipitation. Frontal turbulence is caused by friction between the two air masses and most commonly with fast moving cold fronts.

Clear Air Turbulence: This is most common in the cruise stage of flight, above 15,000 feet. It is caused by wind shears in the jet stream. What is wind shear? Wind shear is caused by sudden changes in wind speed and direction, both vertically and horizontally. Wind shear is often related to jet streams. A jet stream is a ‘river’ of fast-moving air in the atmosphere – sometimes traveling up to 250mph. Usually flowing from West to East, aircrafts use them to travel faster and cut fuel costs. When the jet stream encounters slower moving air or wind shear, turbulence is caused. Clear air turbulence is more frequent during winter months and is impossible to detect with instruments or the eye.

Thermal Turbulence can be categorized as a form of Clear Air Turbulence: The sun heats the Earth’s surface unevenly – barren earth, rocky and sandy areas and desert are heated more rapidly than grass fields and much faster than water. As warm air rises and cooler air descends, the rising and falling currents cause bumpy conditions as the aircraft flies in and out of them. If a pilot expects thermal activity on a flight, they may prefer to fly early in the morning or in the evening when the thermal activity is not as pronounced.

Wake Turbulence: When an aircraft travels through the air it generates a wake which in turn can cause wake vortex turbulence. Airflow traveling over the wings generates swirling air masses  downstream of the wing tips. The wake now consists of two counter-rotating cylindrical vortices. They can exist for a few minutes depending on altitude and wind speeds and is a risk to other aircraft in the vicinity – especially business jets and light aircraft.

Thunderstorms: Cumulonimbus clouds – commonly associated with thunderstorms – cause vertical currents which can displace an aircraft up or down vertically as much as 2,000 to 6,000 feet. In some cases, they can be severe enough to stall an aircraft. To avoid thunderstorms aircraft pilots usually have two options. The standard procedure is lateral deviation of 20 nautical miles. The second option is to fly above the clouds, however this is usually a last resort.

Now we know more about the causes of turbulence there are also different turbulence categories. You have probably experienced light turbulence, but there are other categories:

Light turbulence briefly causes slight changes in altitude. Passengers may feel a slight strain against their seat belts. The aircraft drops/rises around 1 meter.

Moderate turbulence is more intense than light turbulence. There is no loss of control of the airplane. Passengers will feel a strain on their seatbelts, objects will be dislodged, and drinks may spill. The aircraft drops/rises around 3-6 meters.

Severe turbulence causes large and abrupt changes in altitude. The aircraft may temporarily be out of control. Passengers will be moved aggressively in their seats. The aircraft drops/rises around 30 meters.

Extreme turbulence the airplane is tossed around violently and cannot be controlled. It may cause structural damage.

Is turbulence dangerous?

Turbulence itself is not dangerous and aircraft are built and tested thoroughly to withstand even the most extreme turbulence. However, it is when items or people in the cabin are not secured that can cause injuries. When the seatbelt button is illuminated by the pilot, this is to ensure passengers are not thrown around the cabin causing injury. Most injuries reported due to turbulence are cabin crew, who often are performing their duties in the cabin when spells of turbulence occur.

Can you avoid turbulence?

The best way to avoid turbulence is flight planning. Using the latest weather tracking and meteorological reports, dispatch teams will use all the data available to them to develop the best flight plan avoiding adverse weather. During flight, reports are shared with other aircraft and ATC (Air Traffic Control) to warn them of any turbulence or changes in weather. Speak to the Jetex Flight Planning team for trip planning, dispatch and flight following.

Can pilots spot turbulence?

Experienced pilots will be able to spot potential turbulence caused by weather fronts or routes associated with turbulence, however it is difficult to say for definite when turbulence will occur with the naked eye.

As it’s difficult to predict and avoid turbulence, it’s difficult to say what are the most turbulent flight routes. However, in the case of Mountain Wave Turbulence, mountain ranges like the Rockies, Andes or Himalayas are commonly associated with turbulence and flight routes will try to avoid these.

Turbulence on private jets

Private jets fly higher than commercial jets – Boeing and Airbus fly on average at 35,000 – 40,000 feet. Business jets generally fly at 41,000 – 50,000 feet where they are less susceptible to air pockets and severe turbulence, as well as a more direct route. However, the reduced weight of private jets can mean the same amount of turbulence would feel worse than if you were on a 747 jet. Private jets can also be more flexible with their flight routes in comparison to commercial flights, so if bad areas of weather are spotted, the route can be altered to avoid a turbulent journey.

Is turbulence becoming more common?

With global warming affecting weather patterns across the globe, scientists say that events of turbulence could increase in severity by 10% to 40% by 2050. A 2007 study found that instances of clear-air turbulence over North America and Europe increased between 40% and 90% from 1958 to 2007.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – most organizations have them but how often does your staff actually reference them and do they get what they need from them?

Why do we write SOPs?

Writing SOPs to fall in line with safety, quality, efficiency, regulations and audits is the aim but comprehension of the teams that are on the line doing those tasks should also be a factor. Some might say don’t the “Work instructions” do that? Yes, the work instructions give you the “How” but having the “Who, What and When” drives the effectiveness.

If you are creating SOPs just to get a tick in the box from that biannual audit, then their effectiveness becomes uncertain. An effectively communicated SOP improves the team’s understanding and in turn the value the SOPs will bring to the business.

Here are a few steps to help convey your message:

• Involve the team – Interviewing staff who do the task is one way but shadowing them or having them write out the steps that go into it makes the right information go in. Obviously, the quality department should review it and gain the endorsement from higher management.

• When staff gives you the information to explain how the task is done, try and record or ask for some of the normal shortcuts (habits) people take. They may be reluctant but let them know this is to find a better way and to help keep them safe. Another way to do this would be to run some internal audits and use those observations to note down the hazards and root causes as to why they take those shortcuts.

• The dry run – you have the information, but does it work in real scenarios? Involve other team members to try the procedure and get new readers – those that didn’t contribute earlier- to comprehend the procedure. You can also ask someone not too familiar with the role to help find any gaps in the information as though a new joiner were reading them.

• Add a section on some of the common hazards with the effects that may arise with each task. These would serve as a reminder to the team and would help them to consider and identify those habits.

• Easy to Read – using words that the team would use conversationally and if some terms need elaborating then add them in the definitions section. Another way to help in comprehension would be the next point below;

• Using flow charts is a great way to draw out the map of sequences/activities and other department collaborations. Use a color scheme and logos to help engage and drive the message.

• Pictures – using pictures really helps communicate the message. Along with the right way tasks are completed, add some pictures of negative outcomes with a big red X.

• Make the SOPs materials that can be used in training. Whether it’s a new employee, promoted staff or someone coming back from a long vacation, a quick read through should help refresh and educate.

• Long SOPs – if it’s too much information it may be avoided by staff. Try splitting large pieces, but show the connections. As mentioned above, during any training ask staff ‘is it too long’ or ‘would it make sense to…’.

• Let the teams know that these SOPs are not set in stone – they should always communicate any new ideas and improvements to help drive the effectiveness.

• Show the connection (either through flowcharts, words or pictures) between different departments and clients work together to get the desired results.

• Understand the objective – why do we need this SOP? New regulations from authorities? Or is it a new service equipment? Understand what needs to be improved and how the impact would benefit us.

• Risk Assessments can help to construct some important points on the SOP; ‘what not to do’? ‘What are the repercussions of this action?’

• Stay consistent with the numbering and labels – you don’t want to confuse the reader. It would help them learn the SOPs that are created for other departments thus creating awareness collaboration between departments. Look to the Standards Committee such as ISO, they will have some good direction for you to go with.

• At the start of the manual, when emailing staff or when training on the new SOPs, use an example with markers/arrows showing how to navigate what key areas are on the SOP. For example, show the relevance of having the revisions marked or the reason we have a Scope.

• Make it accessible – Online access to folders or on the Employees own access page, see what works in your organization. Some might still need the paper versions close to the work areas or in the break rooms.

SOPs are most important to those teams ‘on the ground’ doing the tasks day-to-day. If your SOPs are not easily understandable and actionable by those people, the staff and business will not benefit from the efficiencies and safety they bring.

By Faisal Nizamuddin, Quality Manager