Definition
An Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) is a document developed by the airplane manufacturer and approved by the FAA that contains the operating procedures, limitations, performance data, and systems information specific to a particular aircraft. It is the official source of information a pilot must use to operate that airplane safely and legally, and it is required to be on board during flight.
Plain English
The AFM is the manufacturer's official handbook for a specific airplane. It tells the pilot how to fly that exact aircraft — what its limits are, how its systems work, and what numbers to use for things like takeoff, climb, and landing.
Context Anchor
Pilots use the AFM during preflight planning, performance checks, weight and balance work, and when confirming the airplane’s operating limits.
Why Pilots Care
Regulations require pilots to operate the aircraft in accordance with the AFM, making it the authoritative source for safe flight within certified limits.
Intuition Check
Do not think of an AFM as a general instruction booklet or a training guide. In this context, it is the official approved source for that airplane’s limits and operating information.
Example Sentence 1
Before the cross-country flight, the pilot opened the AFM to find the takeoff distance for the current weight and temperature.
Example Sentence 2
During an engine failure, the pilot followed the emergency checklist steps listed in the AFM.