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Are the pilot's Handbook and aircraft Flying Manual different documents?

Aircraft Industry Often Confuses Them, but Federal Aviation Administration Insists on Distinct Definitions: Term 1 vs Term 2

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Aircraft sector equates these terms, yet the Federal Aviation Administration asserts they hold...
Aircraft sector equates these terms, yet the Federal Aviation Administration asserts they hold distinct meanings.

Are the pilot's Handbook and aircraft Flying Manual different documents?

In the realm of aviation, understanding the differences between a Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and an Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) is crucial for pilots. Although these two documents share similarities, they possess distinct legal, content, and usage differences.

As per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an AFM is the legitimate document for a particular aircraft, while a POH is generally a more standardized document for that type of aircraft. By regulation, a "current and approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) must be onboard the aircraft."

However, a POH can be used if it mirrors the approved AFM for the specific aircraft make and model, including the serial number. Consequently, a generic POH bought for flight planning is usually inappropriate as it lacks a serial number.

Avoid confusing the tail number with the serial number. The tail number is the aircraft's civil registration, while the serial number comes from the manufacturer and is assigned based on the plane's production sequence.

It's worth noting that many AFMs contain supplementary operating limitations for equipment that may be unique to an individual aircraft, which may not be part of a POH. Additionally, a pilot doesn't necessarily need a hard copy (paper) POH/AFM onboard since the FAA allows these documents to be carried in a digital format.

For further reading, check out our article, "When Flying Light-Sport Aircraft Without an Installed Radio, Can a Hand-Held Communication Device Be Used?"

Should you have any questions about aviation, including general aviation, flight training, aircraft, avionics, or more, feel free to email them to our editorial team at editorial@our website. We strive to provide helpful answers in future articles.

  1. In the aviation industry, understanding the differences between a Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and an Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) is essential for pilots.
  2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers an AFM as the legitimate document for a specific aircraft, while a POH is more standardized for that type of aircraft.
  3. By regulation, a current and approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) must be onboard the aircraft, but a POH can be used if it mirrors the approved AFM for the specific aircraft make and model, including the serial number.
  4. It's important to remember that the tail number is the aircraft's civil registration, while the serial number comes from the manufacturer and is assigned based on the plane's production sequence.
  5. Many AFMs contain supplementary operating limitations for equipment that may be unique to an individual aircraft, which may not be part of a POH.
  6. A pilot doesn't necessarily need a hard copy (paper) POH/AFM onboard as the FAA allows these documents to be carried in a digital format.
  7. For questions about aviation, including general aviation, flight training, aircraft, avionics, or more, you can email them to our editorial team at editorial@our website.

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