Advisory Circular 21 34 Aircraft Flight Manuals
Advisory Circular 21 34 Aircraft Flight Manuals
Advisory Circular 21 34 Aircraft Flight Manuals
AC 21-34 v1.1
Advisory Circulars are intended to provide advice and guidance to illustrate a means, but not necessarily the only
means, of complying with the Regulations, or to explain certain regulatory requirements by providing informative,
interpretative and explanatory material.
Advisory Circulars should always be read in conjunction with the relevant regulations.
Audience
This advisory circular (AC) applies to:
Purpose
The purpose of this AC is to provide information on aircraft flight manuals (AFM), including
approval of AFMs, changes to AFMs and AFM supplements.
Unless specified otherwise, all subregulations, regulations, divisions, subparts and parts
referenced in this AC are references to the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR).
Status
This version of the AC is approved by the Manager, Airworthiness and Engineering Branch.
Note: Changes made in the current version are not annotated. The document should be read in full.
Contents
1 Reference material 4
1.1 Acronyms 4
1.2 Definitions 5
1.3 References 6
2 Aircraft flight manuals 8
2.1 Introduction 8
2.2 General 8
2.3 Format of aircraft flight manuals 8
2.4 Provision of AFMs 10
2.5 Regulation 21.005 – Manufacturers etc to provide AFMs for certain aircraft 10
2.6 Regulation 21.006 – Approval of AFMs 10
2.7 Regulation 21.006A – Approval of changes to aircraft flight manuals 11
2.8 Regulation 54 of CAR – Registered operators to maintain AFMs 13
2.9 Regulation 138 of CAR – Pilot to comply with requirements etc of aircraft’s flight
manual etc 14
2.10 Regulation 139 of CAR – Documents to be carried in Australian aircraft –
Carriage of the AFM 14
2.11 AFMs for experimental aircraft 15
2.12 AFMs for light sport aircraft (LSA) 15
2.13 AFMs for recreational aircraft 15
2.14 Further information 15
1 Reference material
1.1 Acronyms
The acronyms and abbreviations used in this AC are listed in the table below.
Acronym Description
AC advisory circular
ADO approved design organisation
1.2 Definitions
Terms that have specific meaning within this AC are defined in the table below.
Term Definition
Aircraft flight manual A manual that is part of the certification basis of the aircraft, containing the
operating limitations within which the aircraft is considered airworthy, and any
other information required for the safe operation of the aircraft, including all
amendments and supplements for that manual.
Airworthiness The comprehensive and detailed requirements established, adopted or
requirements accepted under the regulations for the airworthiness of the aircraft or
aeronautical product. The airworthiness requirements include the applicable
airworthiness standards and additional airworthiness requirements such as
airworthiness directives (AD), Part 90 requirements and airworthiness
requirements associated with operational approvals such as extended
diversion time operations (EDTO) and approved single engine turbine
powered aeroplane (ASETPA).
Airworthiness standards The design standards applicable to the aircraft or aeronautical product for
approval or certification under Part 21. Airworthiness standards for type
certificated aircraft, engines and propellers are set out in Parts 22 to 35.
Airworthy An aircraft or aeronautical product is airworthy if it is in a state that conforms
with its approved design and is in a condition for safe operation.
Approved design A design organisation approved under Subpart 21.J to carry out design
organisation (ADO) activities under Part 21. An ADO’s scope of approval may include approval
and certification activities for modification/repair designs under Subpart 21.M
and approval of changes to flight manuals.
Certification basis Certification basis means:
a. for an aircraft, aircraft engine or propeller for which there is a type
certificate or type acceptance certificate—the type certification basis
for the aircraft, aircraft engine or propeller
b. for an aeronautical product, other than an aircraft engine or
propeller, that is approved in a manner mentioned in regulation
21.305 or 21.305A—the airworthiness standards that applied for
certification of the product
c. for an aircraft or aeronautical product not mentioned in (a) or (b)
above—the airworthiness standards that applied for certification of
the aircraft or aeronautical product (however described).
Term Definition
i the drawings and specifications necessary to define the
configuration and design features of the aircraft, aircraft engine,
propeller or appliance, or of the modification or repair, and a list
of those drawings and specifications; and
ii information on dimensions, materials and processes necessary
for making the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller or appliance, or
the modification or repair; and
iii the airworthiness limitations section of the instructions for the
continued airworthiness of the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller
or appliance; and
iv the operating limitations and other information necessary for the
safe operation of the aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller or
appliance; and
v any other data necessary to determine the airworthiness of the
aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller or appliance; and
b. engineering reports, including test plans and reports, used to show
that the design complies with the applicable airworthiness standards
for an instrument for the design.
Type acceptance A document issued by CASA to accept the design of a type of aircraft
certificate (TAC) approved via a foreign type certificate issued by a recognised country.
Type certificate (TC) A document issued by CASA to define the design of a type of aircraft, aircraft
engine or propeller and to certify that the design meets the applicable
airworthiness requirements. TCs issued by foreign NAAs are either accepted
in Australia by the issue of applicable TACs or validated and an Australian TC
issued on the basis of the validation process.
Type certificate data A document that forms part of the type certificate providing the technical
sheet (TCDS) details and limitations of the aircraft, aircraft engine or propeller.
Type certification basis The airworthiness standards and any special conditions or other conditions
with which the aircraft, aircraft engine or propeller must comply for the issue
of a type certificate.
Type design The basic design of a type certificated aircraft, aircraft engine or propeller.
1.3 References
Legislation
Legislation is available on the Federal Register of Legislation website https://www.legislation.gov.au/
Document Title
CASR Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998
CAR Civil Aviation Regulations 1988
Advisory material
CASA's advisory materials are available at https://www.casa.gov.au/publications-and-resources/guidance-materials
Document Title
AC 21-08 Approval of modification and repair designs under Subpart 21.M
AC 21-42 Light sport aircraft manufacturers' requirements
CAAP 233-1 Electronic Flight Bags
CAAP 235A-1 Minimum Runway Width - for aeroplanes engaged in RPT and charter
operations with a maximum take-off weight greater than 5700 kg
Other documents
EASA documents are available at http://easa.europa.eu/
EASA CS-22
EASA CS-VLA
EASA CS-23
EASA CS-25
EASA CS-27
EASA CS-29
EASA CS-31GB
EASA CS-31HB
FAA AC 23-15
FAA AC 25.1581-1
FAA AC 27-1
FAA AC 29-2
FAA Order 8300.16
ICAO Annex 6
ICAO Annex 8
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 8 requires that each aircraft
be provided with a flight manual, placards or other document stating the approved
limitations within which the aircraft is considered airworthy as defined by the appropriate
airworthiness requirements, additional instructions and information necessary for the
safe operation of the aircraft.
2.1.2 CASA regulations comply with the provisions of ICAO Annex 8 as described in
paragraph 2.1.1.
2.1.3 The CASR Dictionary defines the meaning of an aircraft’s flight manual (AFM). Under
this definition, a reference to a flight manual in the CASR and Civil Aviation Regulations
1988 (CAR) includes an AFM or any other document that contains the aircraft’s
operating limitations and other information required for the safe operation of the aircraft,
including all amendments and supplements for an AFM or the other document, as
applicable.1
2.2 General
2.2.1 An AFM is part of the type design as required by the type certification basis that the
aircraft was originally certificated to. In some cases the original certification
requirements are changed by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), mandating the
provision of an AFM even though the original type certification basis did not require the
provision of an AFM.
2.2.2 All AFMs are identified by a part number like any other critical part of the aircraft. The
primary source for identifying the AFM applicable to a particular aircraft is the Type
Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS). If there is uncertainty as to which AFM is applicable to a
particular aircraft, the type certificate (TC) holder or the manufacturer can provide that
information based on the make, model and serial number of the aircraft. The relevant
CASA Local Office may also help in identifying the applicable AFM.
1
See Clause 37 of Part 2 of the CASR Dictionary.
2.3.4 Approved parts of the AFM are approved by the applicable national aviation authority
(NAA), based on the type certification requirements effective at the time of certification.
The content of approved parts of the AFM must satisfy requirements of regulation
23.1581, 25.1581, 27.1581 or 29.1581, or similar, as applicable.
2.3.5 Unapproved parts of the AFM are provided by the manufacturer additionally, as deemed
necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft, and cannot conflict with approved parts
of the AFM. Each approved part of the AFM is clearly distinguished from any
unapproved part of that AFM.
2.3.6 Some older AFMs comply with older airworthiness standards and may contain only
unapproved information, provided by the manufacturer as deemed necessary for the
safe operation of the aircraft. For example, AFMs titled Owner’s Handbook or Owner’s
Manual.
2.3.7 Aeroplanes up to 5,700 kg (or 12,500 lb) maximum take-off weight (MTOW), whose
type certification required the provision of an AFM and were manufactured in 1976 or
later, usually have their AFM provided in the US General Aviation Manufacturer's
Association (GAMA) Specification No. 1, 'Pilot's Operating Handbook' (POH) format. 2
AFMs prepared in accordance with these specifications are titled either ‘Pilot’s
Operating Handbook’ or ‘Pilot’s Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight
Manual’, and meet the regulatory requirements.
Note: Aircraft of the same type and model with the same type certification basis may have their approved
information necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft set out in different ways (AFM, placards, or a
combination of AFM and placards) according to their aircraft serial number and year of manufacture.
2
The GAMA Specification No. 1 was developed by representatives of member companies of the General
Aviation Manufacturer's Association for use in preparing Pilot’s Operating Handbooks that meet
government regulatory requirements and meet industry standards for scope of material, arrangement,
nomenclature and definitions. The Specification provides guidance for a large group of aeroplanes,
consequently not all of the material in the Specification is applicable to any one model. Manufacturers may
omit material inappropriate to a specific aircraft type or model.
3
SCAP: Standardised Computerised Aircraft Performance; a standard created by IATA, Air Transport
Association (ATA) and several manufacturers to achieve maximum possible standardisation of the
performance program interface. There are six SCAP Specifications: Take-off, Landing, Climbout, Inflight,
Noise and APM (Aircraft Performance Monitoring), applicable to civil, transport category airplanes. SCAPs
generally use “first principle” methods to calculate real on-time performance data, however some SCAPs
for older aircraft may interpolate between points of the tabulated (pre-computed) AFM data instead.
Maintenance and update of the SCAP Specifications has been the responsibility of the IATA SCAP Task
Force, meeting annually.
2.4.2 Aircraft certificated under older certification requirements or under some special
categories may not be required to be provided with an AFM.
2.4.3 The following aircraft may not be required to have an AFM:
a. aircraft up to a MTOW of 2,722 kg (6,000 lb) manufactured and flown prior to
1 March 1979
b. historic and ex-military aircraft
c. amateur-built aircraft
d. experimental aircraft
e. hang gliders operated under Civil Aviation Order (CAO) 95.8
f. ultralight aircraft operated under CAO 95.10 and CAO 95.55
g. gyroplanes operated under CAO 95.12 and CAO 95.12.1
h. weight shift controlled aeroplanes and powered parachutes operated under CAO
95.32.
2.4.4 Gliders, powered sailplanes and manned free balloons (operated under CAO 101.54)
are required to have an AFM if required by the applicable airworthiness standards.
2.4.5 Aircraft, other than those mentioned under paragraph 2.4.3 or Appendix A, are all
required to have an AFM.
2.6.2 The holder of a type certificate for, or the manufacturer of, an aircraft may apply (in
writing) for the approval of an AFM.
2.6.3 In order for the AFM to be approved, the applicant must satisfy CASA, the ADO or the
authorised person (as applicable), that the manual would comply with the applicable
4
See also subregulation 21.420(2) and AC 21-08.
5
See regulations 21.403 and 21.405, and AC 21-08 for more information on applicable airworthiness
standards.
6
See regulation 21.460.
2.7.11 Minor design changes for which an aircraft flight manual supplement is
not required
2.7.11.1 An AFM supplement for a design change is not required if ALL of the following
conditions are met:
a. Does not restrict, displace, or limit the use of required equipment.
b. All new limitations can be addressed via placards.
c. The aircraft performance is not negatively affected.
d. Does not require a placard per TC or STC.
e. VFR use only.
f. Is non-required equipment.
2.8.2 In some cases, an aircraft may be issued with an AFM that contains AFM supplements
available for the aircraft type, which have not been incorporated or are not applicable for
the specific aircraft. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the registered operator to
clarify which supplement is and which one is not applicable to the specific aircraft. This
can be achieved through several methods; however, it must be clear from the AFM
document what method has been utilised for controlling non-applicable supplements
(i.e. the amendment sheet must be properly annotated).
Note: For example, acceptable methods to control non-applicable supplements include the complete removal of
the non-applicable supplements or the separation of the non-applicable supplements from the rest of the
AFM content.
2.8.3 The registered operator of an aircraft may nominate a representative for maintaining the
AFM for that aircraft; however, the responsibility for the update status of the AFM
remains with the registered operator of the aircraft.
Beech 17 F17D, SF17D US FAA 689 211 and up, except 219
DeHavilland DHA-3 DHA-3 Mk 2 CASA Aust CTA 5-3 All. No AFM Required.
Australia Note: Relevant
information for operators
can be obtained from
Section 2 of the DHA-3
Mk 2 Maintenance &
Repair Manual dated
February 1952 (Revision
AL 1), the previously
issued Civil Mk 2 manual
supplied by CASA and
current placarded
limitations.