What does AFM mean in AIRCRAFT & AVIATION

An Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) is a document used to describe the details for the safe operation of a specific make/model aircraft. The AFM typically includes performance data, weight and balance information, operating limitations, emergency procedures, equipment listings, and optional or special operations.

An Aircraft Flight Manual typically contains detailed information on aircraft performance characteristics, operating instructions, certified weight and balance data, takeoff and landing performance data, emergency procedures such as crash landings or ditching techniques, equipment lists for configurations approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), maintenance requirements updates from any Manufacturer Service Bulletins (MSB), optional equipment or special operations like aerial photography.

Yes. The FAA and other regulators require that planes be operated according to the information in their corresponding AFMs – otherwise known as Operating Limitations. Violating any of these limitations could result in legal action against the pilot or operator depending on the severity of the incident.

Yes. There are several categories of AFMs based upon their application including Initial Issue manuals which contain all pertinent information as assigned by manufacturer's data; Revised Issue manuals which are revised due to changes in structure or material; Supplemental Issue manuals which provide modification instructions and/or additional performance information; and Replacement Issue manuals which re-issue parts due to change in illustrations and/or text.

An Aircraft Flight Manual is prepared by the airframe manufacturer immediately after it has been certified by the regulatory body such as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Depending on your specific operational needs as well as any additional modifications made to your aircraft you may need to update your AFM more frequently than just annually. It’s important to stay up-to-date with your AFM in order to ensure that you are properly informed with regards to regulatory requirements and your aircraft’s performance levels.

Your Airplane's Aircraft Flight manual can generally be found either within its original documentation package received when you purchased it from the factory or at a third-party vendor depending upon how old your plane is. Many online stores also have electronic copies available for purchase.