Before every flight, certain documents must legally be on board. Many pilots remember them with the acronym ARROW, and one of them – the Aircraft Flight Manual – causes the most questions.

The ARROW documents

• A – Airworthiness certificate
• R – Registration certificate
• R – Radio station license (for international operations)
• O – Operating limitations (AFM, placards, and markings)
• W – Weight and balance data

The AFM requirement

Under 14 CFR §91.9, the current approved Aircraft Flight Manual – or the approved operating limitations in the form of markings and placards – must be available. For many post-1970s general aviation aircraft, the POH doubles as the approved AFM.

Keep your documents current

Operating limitations must reflect your actual aircraft and its equipment. If you are missing a manual or need a replacement, browse the manuals store by make and model.

Note: Reproduction manuals are provided for reference, training, and historical purposes. They do not replace the current FAA-approved documents required for legal flight operations.