Definition
The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) is the manufacturer-produced document that contains the operating procedures, performance data, limitations, weight and balance information, systems descriptions, and emergency procedures for a specific make, model, and serial number of aircraft. For aircraft certificated after 1975, the POH is typically combined with the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and serves as the primary reference for safe operation of that aircraft.
Plain English
The official handbook from the aircraft maker that tells the pilot exactly how to fly that specific airplane — how to start it, what speeds to use, what its limits are, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Context Anchor
Pilots use the POH during preflight planning, before takeoff, when checking airplane limits, and whenever they need the correct procedures or performance numbers for that airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Operating an aircraft without reference to its POH risks exceeding approved limits, which can lead to loss of control, structural damage, or regulatory violations.
Analogy
Think of the POH as the airplane’s owner’s manual, but written for pilots and tied directly to safe operation.
Intuition Check
Do not treat a POH as a casual reference book. For the airplane you are flying, it is the main source for the correct limits, procedures, and performance information.
Example Sentence 1
Before the cross-country flight, the pilot opened the POH to look up the takeoff distance for the airport's elevation and temperature.
Example Sentence 2
When the engine lost oil pressure, the pilot opened the POH emergency section and followed the approved shutdown checklist.