Short of funding the retirement of a publications company executive, where can I find revisions/updates to published POH's. I would figure that a change to a POH for a particular aircraft would be submitted, approved and documented by the FAA but I am having trouble navigation the red tape to find a PDF document or something to compare changes.

Naturally, the only approved one is usually maintained with the aircraft and I believe receives support from the manufacturer in the form of updates in the mail. This is the final authority for flight planning.

Now, for average Joe, where do we get our hands on these updates so that I can use my 2 year old POH and eBay my issued one.

Anyone know?

Thanks!

-Forest

 

Check out the AFM in the specific aircraft. That SHOULD have any applicable revisions or supplements required for non-standard equipment. Major changes are usually reflected in the generic POH but once an airplane starts getting new equipment and modifications it's pretty much all out the window.

To make sure that you have the most updated revision, go onto the FAA's website and check out the Type Certificate Data Sheet for your make and model. That will list the most current revision. The revision date should be noted on every page of your POH.

 

Not sure why you're looking for your own POM, but I'll address this anyway...

POM and AFM are the same thing, AFM is just the new name.

Each INDIVIDUAL aircraft is required to have a POM/AFM that is unique to that specific airplane...not the model/year, but to the INDIVIDUAL airplane. It comes with the airplane from the factory, and is then updated by the manufacturer with every change applicable to that aircraft (revised procedures, AD's, etc). The manufacturer does this by mailing updates to the regsitered owner (this info must be updated when the airplane is sold or the owner moves). Additionally, the POM/AFM has to be updated with info relevant to any STC modifications (such as a bigger engine, or GPS addition)...these updates may be a page or a seperate booklet, such as a GPS manual. This is what is required to onboard the aircraft when you go fly.

A PIM is a reprint of a generic manufacturer's "POM" that applies usually to a certain year and model. If you buy the newest PIM it will include recent changes that affected all or most of the aircraft in question...but it will NOT include any updates required by STC's to a specific airplane and may not include manufacturer's updates that were issued recently. A PIM is a study guide ONLY.

A PIM is NOT an POM/AFM and cannot in any way, shape, or form substitute for the POM/AFM. You must have the unique POM/AFM onboard in order to go fly...a PIM cannot be sued for this purpose.

A student stole the POM out of a 172 at our flight school (too cheap to buy a PIM I quess)...the airplane was grounded for two weeks while Cessna reconstructed the POM. This also cost $400.

If you really want a correct LEGAL duplicate POM/AFM for a specific aircraft, you would probably have to pay the manufacturer construct one for you. You would also have to obtain the info on any STC's yourself.