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 airplane. The Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) is the FAA-required, aircraft-specific manual that must be carried aboard the airplane during flight. The Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) is the manufacturer's version of the same information, organized in a standardized format. For most modern general aviation airplanes the POH and AFM are combined into a single document, which is why they are commonly referred to together as the AFM/POH.
Plain English
The official handbook for a specific airplane. It tells the pilot how to operate that exact aircraft safely, what its limits are, what each system does, and how it will perform in different conditions. Every airplane has one, and the pilot is expected to know it.
Context Anchor
Pilots use the AFM/POH during training, preflight planning, performance calculations, and whenever they need the correct procedure or limit for a particular airplane.
Derivation
"Manual" comes from the Latin manualis, meaning "of the hand" — a book kept at hand for reference. "Handbook" carries the same idea in plain English. Both names point to the same purpose: a reference the pilot keeps close and consults often.
Why Pilots Care
Federal regulations require pilots to operate the aircraft in accordance with the AFM/POH; using incorrect or missing data from these documents can lead to loss of control, runway excursions, or regulatory violations.
Intuition Check
Do not treat the AFM/POH as a general flying textbook. It is the operating reference for a specific airplane, and its limits and procedures matter for that airplane.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo in the Cessna 172, the student reviewed the AFM/POH to confirm the maximum crosswind component and the correct flap setting for short-field takeoffs.
Example Sentence 2
In an engine failure after takeoff the pilot followed the emergency procedure listed in the POH to secure the engine and establish best glide.