Definition
An official Federal Aviation Administration publication that provides basic knowledge essential for piloting airplanes. It covers airplane handling, flight maneuvers, normal and emergency procedures, and operational techniques applicable to most general aviation airplanes. FAA-H-8083-3 is the document number assigned by the FAA to identify this specific handbook.
Plain English
It is the FAA's main how-to-fly book for airplane pilots. It explains how to actually fly the airplane — takeoffs, landings, maneuvers, and what to do when things go wrong. The code FAA-H-8083-3 is just the catalog number used to find it.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA study materials when one FAA handbook points the reader to another handbook for more detail.
Derivation
FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administration. The 'H' in the document number indicates it is a Handbook. The numbering system (8083 series) is the FAA's internal classification for pilot and aviation training publications.
Why Pilots Care
This is one of the core reference books pilots are expected to know. Material from it appears on FAA knowledge tests and is used by examiners during practical tests. It also describes the techniques you are expected to demonstrate during training.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as the title of the chapter you are in. It is a separate FAA handbook being referenced. Also, a handbook is guidance and training material; it is not the same thing as a regulation.
Example Sentence 1
Before the lesson on stalls, the instructor told the student to read the relevant chapter in the Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3.
Example Sentence 2
Performance charts for this transport category airplane include accelerate-stop distances that account for an engine failure at V1.