Flight Manual Requirements

FAR 21.5 — Flight Manual Requirements

FAR 21.5 requires manufacturers to provide a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual at delivery. Learn what must be included for pilots.

In Plain English

FAR 21.5 sets the rule for when an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual (AFM/RFM) must be delivered with a new aircraft and what it must contain.

For any airplane or rotorcraft that wasn't originally type certificated with a Flight Manual and has no flight time before March 1, 1979, the type certificate holder (or licensee) must give the owner a current approved Flight Manual at the time of delivery.

The Flight Manual must include:

The operating limitations and information required by the regulations under which the aircraft was type certificated — including markings and placards.
The maximum ambient temperature at which engine cooling was demonstrated (in the performance section), if not already required by the certification rules.
For airplanes, documentation of compliance with Part 38 (fuel efficiency), including the calculated fuel efficiency metric value.

Why it matters: the AFM/RFM is the legal source of your aircraft's operating limitations, performance data, and emergency procedures. As pilot in command, you rely on it for V-speeds, weight and balance, and limitations — and under FAR 91.9, it must be aboard the aircraft.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 21.5

§ 21.5 Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual. (a) With each airplane or rotorcraft not type certificated with an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual and having no flight time before March 1, 1979, the holder of a type certificate (including amended or supplemental type certificates) or the licensee of a type certificate must make available to the owner at the time of delivery of the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual. (b) The Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual required by paragraph (a) of this section must contain the following information: (1) The operating limitations and information required to be furnished in an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual or in manual material, markings, and placards, by the applicable regulations under which the airplane or rotorcraft was type certificated. (2) The maximum ambient atmospheric temperature for which engine cooling was demonstrated must be stated in the performance information section of the Flight Manual, if the applicable regulations under which the aircraft was type certificated do not require ambient temperature on engine cooling operating limitations in the Flight Manual. (3) Documentation of compliance with part 38 of this chapter, in an FAA-approved section of any approved airplane flight manual. Such material must include the fuel efficiency metric value as calculated under § 38.11 of this chapter, and the specific paragraph of § 38.17 of this chapter with which compliance has been shown for that airplane. [Amdt. 21-46, 43 FR 2316, Jan. 16, 1978, as amended by Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53385, Oct. 16, 2009; Admt. 21-107, 89 FR 12653, Feb. 16, 2024]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1When is a manufacturer required to provide an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual with a new aircraft?

Per FAR 21.5(a), the type certificate holder must provide a current approved Flight Manual at delivery for any airplane or rotorcraft not type certificated with one and having no flight time before March 1, 1979.

Q2What information must the Flight Manual contain under FAR 21.5?

Under FAR 21.5(b), it must contain the operating limitations and information required by the certification rules, the maximum ambient temperature for demonstrated engine cooling, and (for airplanes) documentation of Part 38 fuel efficiency compliance.

Q3Where in the Flight Manual is the maximum ambient temperature for engine cooling found, and why is it included?

FAR 21.5(b)(2) requires it in the performance information section when the original certification rules didn't already require an ambient temperature engine cooling limitation, so pilots know the demonstrated cooling envelope.

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Related Sections in Part 21

§ 21.1

Certification Procedures

§ 21.101

Type Certificate Changes