Plain English Meaning

The aircraft's own manual. It tells you how to operate that specific airplane safely — what speeds to use, what limits not to exceed, how to handle emergencies, and how the systems work. Every airplane has one, and it's specific to that make, model, and serial number.

Full Definition

The official document, produced by the aircraft manufacturer and approved (in part) by the FAA, that contains all the operating limitations, performance data, normal and emergency procedures, weight and balance information, and systems descriptions specific to a particular aircraft. The Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) is the FAA-approved portion required to be carried in the aircraft; 's Operating () is the manufacturer's expanded version that includes the AFM plus additional guidance. For most modern , the POH and AFM are combined into a single document, which is why the two terms are often written together as .