8.poh-afm-structure. Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Structure
The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) are the two most important documents the pilot will use during the operation of an aircraft. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they are not identical. The AFM is the document the FAA requires to be carried aboard the aircraft during flight. The POH is the manufacturer's publication, often combined with the AFM into a single bound document; when the manufacturer's POH is approved by the FAA and used as the AFM, it will be marked accordingly on the title page.
In 1975, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) standardized the format of POHs for aircraft manufactured after that date. Most modern handbooks contain the following nine sections, plus optional sections for supplements and safety information.
- Section 1 — General: Basic descriptive information about the airplane, including dimensions, three-view drawings, engine and propeller data, fuel and oil capacities, and a glossary of symbols, abbreviations, and terminology used throughout the handbook.
- Section 2 — Limitations: FAA-approved operating limitations that must not be exceeded. Includes airspeed limitations and markings (V-speeds such as V_NE, V_NO, V_S, V_FE, V_A), powerplant limitations (RPM, manifold pressure, oil temperature/pressure), weight and CG limits, flight load factors, kinds of operations equipment list (KOEL), fuel limitations, and required placards.
- Section 3 — Emergency Procedures: Checklists and amplified procedures for handling emergencies such as engine failure, fires, electrical malfunctions, icing, and emergency landings. Memory items (bold-face items) appear here.
- Section 4 — Normal Procedures: Checklists and expanded procedures for routine operations: preflight, engine start, taxi, runup, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and shutdown.
- Section 5 — Performance: FAA-approved performance data presented in tables and charts. Typical charts include takeoff and landing distance, climb performance, cruise power settings, range and endurance, stall speeds at varying bank angles, and crosswind component. Standard atmosphere assumptions (ISA: 15 °C, 29.92 inHg at sea level) are noted.
- Section 6 — Weight and Balance/Equipment List: Aircraft-specific weighing data, empty weight and CG location, loading instructions, sample loading problems, CG envelope, and the comprehensive equipment list with unit weights and arms.
- Section 7 — Airplane and Systems Description: Detailed narrative descriptions of each major aircraft system: airframe, flight controls, instrument panel, landing gear, powerplant, propeller, fuel, electrical, vacuum/pneumatic, pitot-static, environmental, and avionics.
- Section 8 — Airplane Handling, Service, and Maintenance: Owner-level information on ground handling, towing, mooring, jacking, servicing fluids, tire pressures, cleaning, lubrication, and required inspections.
- Section 9 — Supplements: Information on optional equipment, modifications, and STCs installed on the airplane. Each supplement is its own mini-AFM and is FAA-approved when the equipment requires it. Examples include autopilot supplements, GPS/WAAS navigators (e.g., Garmin GTN/GNS), oxygen systems, and floats.
- Section 10 — Safety Information (optional): Manufacturer-supplied advisory material on stalls, spins, wake turbulence, density altitude, and other safety topics. Not FAA-approved as limitations.
Approved vs. Non-Approved Material. Within the POH/AFM, certain content is FAA-approved (Limitations, Emergency Procedures, portions of Performance, Weight and Balance, and applicable Supplements). FAA-approved pages are typically identified at the bottom of the page. Non-approved material is informational and provided by the manufacturer to assist the pilot.
Regulatory basis. Under 14 CFR §91.9, no person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the AFM, markings, and placards. For aircraft type certificated after March 1, 1979, a current AFM must be carried aboard the aircraft. For older aircraft without a formal AFM, operating limitations may be found in markings, placards, manufacturer's manuals, or documents originally provided with the aircraft.
Practical use. Before each flight, the pilot uses the POH/AFM to verify that the planned operation is within limitations, to compute takeoff and landing performance for the actual conditions, to confirm weight and balance, and to brief abnormal/emergency procedures. During flight, the handbook serves as the authoritative reference for V-speeds, system operation, and emergency response. Example: prior to a short-field departure at a high-elevation airport, the pilot consults Section 5 to determine takeoff ground roll and 50-ft obstacle distance using pressure altitude, temperature, weight, and runway slope, then compares the result against available runway with an appropriate safety margin.
Familiarity with the structure of the POH/AFM allows the pilot to quickly locate critical information — limitations, emergency checklists, performance charts, and system descriptions — when it matters most.