Definition
The official set of written procedures, drawings, and specifications provided by the aircraft manufacturer that detail exactly how the aircraft is to be assembled. For experimental light-sport and kit-built aircraft, these instructions are the controlling document for building the aircraft to the configuration the manufacturer designed and tested.
Plain English
The step-by-step build guide written by the company that designed the aircraft, telling the builder exactly how to put each part together so the finished airplane matches what the maker intended.
Context Anchor
Seen when discussing light-sport aircraft kits, aircraft records, inspections, and whether an aircraft was built according to the manufacturer's design.
Why Pilots Care
Following these instructions is required to keep the aircraft airworthy and in compliance with FAA light-sport aircraft regulations.
Intuition Check
Do not treat manufacturer's assembly instructions as casual tips or optional advice. In this context, they are the required build directions used to show the aircraft was assembled the way the manufacturer intended.
Example Sentence 1
The builder kept the manufacturer's assembly instructions on the workbench and signed off each step as it was completed.
Example Sentence 2
During the annual condition inspection, the pilot verified that all work matched the manufacturer's assembly instructions.