Definition
The official document, produced by the aircraft manufacturer and approved by the FAA, that contains the operating limitations, procedures, performance data, weight and balance information, and systems descriptions specific to a particular aircraft. The Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) is the FAA-required regulatory document for that aircraft; the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) is the manufacturer's pilot-friendly version, which for most modern light aircraft also serves as the FAA-approved AFM when it contains an Approved section. Pilots commonly refer to the combined document as the AFM/POH.
Plain English
It is the official handbook for a specific aircraft. It tells the pilot how to operate that aircraft safely, what its limits are, and what performance to expect.
Context Anchor
You will use the AFM/POH during preflight planning, performance calculations, weight and balance checks, emergency procedure review, and anytime you need the correct operating information for a specific aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
It supplies the exact numbers and procedures a pilot must follow to keep the aircraft within safe limits and respond correctly to emergencies.
Intuition Check
Do not treat the AFM/POH as a generic owner’s manual. In aviation, it is the controlling reference for how that aircraft is to be operated and what limits must be followed.
Example Sentence 1
Before the cross-country flight, she opened the AFM/POH to calculate the takeoff distance for the expected temperature and field elevation.
Example Sentence 2
During an engine failure, the pilot referred to the AFM/POH emergency procedures checklist to secure the aircraft.