The AOC Handbook Volume 2 Flying Operations

21.0 Aircraft Flight Manual

Approved by Executive Manager CASA Operations

21.0

Aircraft Flight Manual

21.1

What is an Aircraft Flight Manual?

Version 1.0: Oct 2012

The Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) is a book containing the information and
instructions required to operate the aircraft safely. The operator and flight crew must
comply with AFM information and instructions. The AFM is as important as any other
critical part of the aircraft. The AFM is a part of the type design.
If an AFM, AFM amendment or AFM supplement has already been approved by the
National Aviation Authority (NAA) responsible for issuing the Type Certificate (TC) for
an aircraft, there is no requirement for additional approval by CASA.
The basic AFM for an Australian aircraft must be the maker's AFM that was approved
by the relevant NAA - additional CASA approval of the AFM is not required.
AFM information changes, such as AFM amendments and AFM supplements, that are
approved by the relevant NAA and applicable to the individual aircraft, do not need
additional CASA approval to be put into an individual aircraft's AFM.
If AFM supplements are applicable and required, the complete AFM is the
combination of the basic AFM and those AFM supplements. To ensure the pilot of an
Australian aircraft is able to comply with the basic AFM and relevant AFM
supplements, all the AFM information must be in the English language.
AFMs that were prepared, approved and issued by CASA or its predecessors (the Civil
Mark 1 and Civil Mark 2 AFMs) will no longer be supported by CASA. These will need
to be replaced by the maker's approved AFM.
Where a flight manual does not exist for an aircraft, operating instructions will be in
the form of placards in the aircraft.
The holder of the certificate of registration for an aircraft must ensure:

The basic AFM for the aircraft is the correct and current maker's AFM that is
approved by the relevant NAA

All other required AFM information - such as approved AFM supplements - is

present, correct and current

CASA is informed of every change to the AFM information

The certificate of registration holder may delegate the update of the AFM to a
contractor; however the responsibility for the update status of the AFM remains with
the certificate of registration holder.

The AOC Handbook Volume 2 Flying Operations

21.0 Aircraft Flight Manual
Approved by Executive Manager CASA Operations

Version 1.0: Oct 2012

21.2

Aircraft Flight Manual Content and Format

21.2.1

Manual Format

Modern light aircraft have the AFM in the US General Aviation Manufacturer's
Association (GAMA) Specification No. 1, 'Pilot's Operating Handbook' (POH) format.
GAMA Spec. POH
In 1975, the US GAMA introduced the 'GAMA Specification No. 1' format for the
'Pilot's Operating Handbook' (POH).
For most light aircraft listed as built in 1976 or later, makers have provided Pilot's
Operating Handbooks (POHs) that are in the 'GAMA Specification No. 1' format.
These POHs contain the AFM information that must be provided to the pilot under
the relevant National Airworthiness Authority's airworthiness standards.
Under CASA rules, all such 'GAMA Spec.' POHs are the equivalent of required basic
AFMs.

21.2.2

Identify aircraft exactly

The registration alone is not enough to identify the correct AFM; the aircraft data
plate is fitted to the aircraft at manufacture must also be taken into account.
The following identification details from the aircrafts data plate are needed:
TC number (the TCDS No. should be the same as this number)
Make (i.e. the maker/TC holder at the time of manufacture)
Model (i.e. the exact model designation as on the data plate)
Serial number (the maker's unique identification of the individual aircraft).

21.2.3

AFM Supplements

Modifications and optional equipment such as avionics usually require AFM

supplements. The aircraft and the aircraft log book will be inspected to confirm that
the AFM is applicable given the modifications and equipment options that are fitted
to the aircraft.
An AFM supplement is a booklet or group of pages containing changes to the
information and instructions in the AFM. These AFM changes are necessary for
continued safe operation of an aircraft that has:

Modifications

A non-standard configuration

Special role equipment fitted

A need to engage in some special purpose activity.

After the incorporation of a modification, if no changes to the information in the AFM
are necessary, an AFM supplement is not required.

The AOC Handbook Volume 2 Flying Operations

21.0 Aircraft Flight Manual
Approved by Executive Manager CASA Operations

Version 1.0: Oct 2012

AFM supplements must be approved by the NAA of the state of design origin. This
includes CASA.

21.2.4

Compatibility

An approved AFM supplement may only be incorporated into the AFM specified in
the supplement, for example:

An aircraft may have a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type

Certificate (TC) and a related US FAA approved AFM.
The same aircraft may also have a UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) TC and
therefore must have a related UK CAA approved AFM.

The FAA approved AFM supplement may not be able to be used directly with the UK
CAA approved basic AFM because the UK CAA TC may differ in some details from the
FAA TC.

21.3

Roles and Responsibilities

21.3.1

CASA

CASA maintains a database of the identification details, and revision status last
advised to CASA, for every approved basic AFM required for Australian registered
aircraft. CASA will hold, and keep current, a master copy of every required basic AFM.
CASA also maintains a list of aircraft models, so far identified by CASA, as not
requiring an AFM.
For AOC application where the individual aircraft is identified, the CASA Inspector will
use this database to verify that the AOC applicant has an AFM for each aircraft to be
used that is complete and current.
For AOC applications where a class or type of aircraft is authorised on the AOC, the
CASA Inspector will verify that the operator has a copy of an AFM appropriate to the
type or class of aircraft.

21.3.2

Applicant

Under CAR 138 the operator and the flight crew are required to comply with the
information and instructions in the AFM. CAR 54 requires an AFM to be kept current.
Unless an exemption applies an AFM must be carried in an aircraft when the aircraft
is flying. The exemption allows AOC holders to carry an operations manual in the

The AOC Handbook Volume 2 Flying Operations

21.0 Aircraft Flight Manual
Approved by Executive Manager CASA Operations

Version 1.0: Oct 2012

aircraft in place of the AFM, provided the contents of the AFM are covered in the
Operations Manual.

21.3.3

Operator and Certificate of Registration Holder

responsibilities

The CASA Inspector will verify through document evaluation that the AOC applicant
has documented procedures for the management of an AFM. This includes verifying
that the certificate of registration holder:

Subscribes to the manufacturer's AFM amendment service

Ensures any other changes to the AFM information are received, such as CASA
Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and changes to AFM supplements
Ensures that, if an operator, registered operator, maintenance organisation or
pilot is contracted to maintain an AFM on behalf of the certificate of
registration holder, then that person is notified promptly of all changes to the
AFM information.

At every change of the AFM information, the certificate of registration holder must
ensure:

The change is made and recorded in the amendment record sheet

CASA is informed, in writing, of the change being incorporated, so the particular

aircraft file can be updated. This is to be done by sending a copy of the updated
amendment record sheet to the relevant local CASA office within 48 hours of
the aircraft flying for the first time after the AFM change is made.

21.4

Applicable Legislation and Advisory Material

The following is applicable to Aircraft Flight Manuals:

CAR 138
CAR 139
CAR 54
CASR Part 21
CAO 101
CAAP 54-1(2)