Anaircraft flight manual (AFM) is a paper book or electronic information set containing information required to operate an aircraft of certain type or particular aircraft of that type (each AFM is tailored for a specific aircraft, though aircraft of the same type naturally have very similar AFMs). The information within an AFM is also referred to as Technical Airworthiness Data (TAWD). A typical flight manual will contain the following: operating limitations, Normal/Abnormal/Emergency operating procedures, performance data and loading information.[1]
An AFM will often include:
Originally, an AFM would follow whichever format and order the manufacturer felt appropriate. Eventually, theGeneral Aviation Manufacturers Association came to an agreement to standardize in GAMA Specification No. 1 the format of AFM's for general aviation airplanes and helicopters known as the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH).[2]
The chapters of a POH always follow the format of:[2]