Airline Captain | Aviation Safety & Operations Expert | Educator & Advisor
Captain Sopon Phikanesuan is an accomplished airline captain, aviation safety executive, and thought leader with over three decades of professional experience across airline operations, flight training, and safety management. His career reflects a lifelong dedication to flight safety, operational excellence, and the development of aviation professionals in Thailand and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Beginning his journey as a professional pilot, Captain Sopon accumulated extensive experience on various commercial aircraft, serving as Airline Captain and Flight Instructor for many years. His deep understanding of flight operations, combined with a strong instructional foundation, later positioned him as a key figure in operational leadership and safety management.
As Vice President of Quality, Safety, Security, Environment, and Support at Nok Air, Captain Sopon directed the implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS) and Flight Data Analysis (FDA) programs, while also promoting a Just Culture and proactive reporting environment across the airline. He led the development of the airline’s conformance monitoring system to ensure continuous regulatory compliance and qualification management for pilots, cabin crew, and operational staff in accordance with both ICAO and Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) requirements.
Beyond safety and compliance, Captain Sopon has been at the forefront of digital transformation in flight operations, introducing systems such as IQSMS, FL3XX Flight Operations System, and LIDO NavData Charting, and supporting the deployment of Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) technology. His ability to bridge operational needs with technological innovation has made him a respected figure among flight operations and safety professionals in the region.
Between 2022 and 2024, Captain Sopon served as Deputy Managing Director of Chula UniSearch, the research and consulting arm of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s leading academic institution. In this role, he led several national-level aviation projects, including advisory support to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI). Most notably, he served as Advisor to the Thailand SWIM (System Wide Information Management) Master Plan, contributing to the foundation of Thailand’s next-generation digital aviation infrastructure.
In addition, he provided research leadership on sustainability and environmental initiatives, including Net Zero and Carbon Credit projects, aligning aviation development with global environmental goals.
Captain Sopon is also a recognized flight training professional, having served as Ground, Simulator, and Flight Instructor for airline crews, emphasizing the integration of technical skills, decision-making, and safety attitudes. His approach to training combines the principles of Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) with a focus on the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) framework — ensuring that pilots are not only technically competent but also safety-minded and professionally mature.
His interests extend into aviation education and public engagement. Through InsightFlying.com and his YouTube channel “Capt. Sopon Insights,” he shares aviation knowledge, flight safety insights, and leadership lessons to inspire the next generation of aviators, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts.
Captain Sopon’s career reflects a unique combination of airline command experience, executive-level management, academic advisory, and digital transformation leadership. With a proven record of building safety culture, developing operational systems, and mentoring aviation professionals, he continues to contribute to the advancement of safe, efficient, and sustainable aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Professional Highlights
- Airline Captain and Flight Instructor with extensive operational experience.
- Former Vice President – Quality, Safety, Security, Environment, and Support, Nok Air.
- Led the implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) and Flight Data Analysis (FDA) program.
- Established conformance monitoring for pilot and crew qualifications under CAAT regulations.
- Experienced in Flight Operations Systems: FL3XX, IQSMS, LIDO, EFB integration.
- Deputy Managing Director, Chula UniSearch – led Thailand SWIM Master Plan advisory.
- Contributor to Net Zero and Carbon Credit aviation projects.
- Advocate for CBTA training, emphasizing Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA).
- Public educator through InsightFlying.com and Capt. Sopon Insights YouTube channel.
Vision
Captain Sopon believes that aviation excellence lies at the intersection of safety, technology, and human performance. His ongoing mission is to empower aviation professionals through knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration — shaping a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future for global aviation.
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