What is the difference between the AFM and the POH?

What is the difference between the AFM and the POH?

• A. They are completely different documents with different purposes.
• B. AFM is for pilots; POH is for mechanics.
• C. They refer to the same basic document; AFM stands for Airplane Flight Manual, POH stands for Pilot’s Operating Handbook; terminology varies by manufacturer.
• D. AFM is only for airline operations; POH is for general aviation.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that these two terms describe the same basic document, just named differently. The Airplane Flight Manual is the official, authority-approved manual that accompanies the aircraft and provides operating limits, normal procedures, performance data, and emergency procedures. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook is the manufacturer’s version tailored for pilots—often the same content as the AFM, but labeled for pilot use. Which name is used depends on the manufacturer, but the material covered is essentially the same. The other statements aren’t accurate because the AFM and POH aren’t completely separate documents, they aren’t strictly for mechanics vs pilots, and they aren’t limited to airline operations—both are relevant across aviation, with the difference mainly in terminology and publication by the manufacturer.

The main idea is that these two terms describe the same basic document, just named differently. The Airplane Flight Manual is the official, authority-approved manual that accompanies the aircraft and provides operating limits, normal procedures, performance data, and emergency procedures. The Pilot’s Operating Handbook is the manufacturer’s version tailored for pilots—often the same content as the AFM, but labeled for pilot use. Which name is used depends on the manufacturer, but the material covered is essentially the same. The other statements aren’t accurate because the AFM and POH aren’t completely separate documents, they aren’t strictly for mechanics vs pilots, and they aren’t limited to airline operations—both are relevant across aviation, with the difference mainly in terminology and publication by the manufacturer.