Looking4Lower: Does this reply also help with your question about whether you can use a generic manual if there is no official AFM?
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From what I understand, POHs from aircraft built prior to 1978 do not have to be onboard the aircraft. Only on aircraft built after 1978 does the AFM have to be onboard.
I think!
[/ QUOTE ]A lot of people join you in your thinking, but it's not really correct. The change in 1978 was that, for the first time, a manual became a required piece of equipment for =all= aircraft.
Before that, you will find plenty airplanes in which a manual was a required piece of equipment. And, under 91.213, all required equipment needs to be on board.
In addition, whether one was required or not, if the airplane has a manual, it has to be on board (unless there are placards, etc that cover all of the information)
Take a look at 91.9:
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91.9
(b) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft -
(1) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is required by § 21.5 of this chapter unless there is available in the aircraft a current, approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual or the manual provided for in § 121.141(b); and
(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by § 21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.
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(21.5 is the reg that has the 1978 date)
If the airplane is required to have one, it has to be there. If the airplane isn't required to have one, it (or a combination of information that does the same thing) has to be there