No products found.
Use fewer filters or clear filters.
Aircraft manuals and Pilot's Operating Handbooks for hundreds of models
An aircraft manual is the document that tells you how to operate, fly, or maintain a specific airplane, and the most important one for pilots is the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). Pilot Mall stocks faithful reproduction manuals for hundreds of aircraft models, covering the major general aviation makes including Cessna, Piper, Beech, Mooney, and Grumman, along with selected engine reproductions. Each reprint is produced from the original document and captures the original data, limitations, performance charts, weight and balance information, and emergency procedures, so an out-of-print or worn-out handbook can be replaced with a clean, readable copy for study and reference.
Compare popular aircraft manuals at a glance
| Manual | Type | Best for | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172N Skyhawk 1977 POH (D1082-13) | Pilot's Operating Handbook | Skyhawk owners and trainers needing the standardized POH format | Cessna 172N (1977) |
| Cessna 182S 1997 and On PIM (182SIM) | Pilot's Information Manual | Skylane study and reference, not aircraft-specific | Cessna 182S (1997 on) |
| Cessna 150F 1966 Owner's Manual | Owner's Manual (pre-1979) | Vintage trainer owners with an early light Cessna | Cessna 150F (1966) |
| Piper PA28-161 Warrior II 1983-94 POH (761-780) | Pilot's Operating Handbook | Warrior II owners and PA-28 flight training | Piper PA28-161 Warrior II |
| Beech King Air A-90 Series POH (130766B) | Pilot's Operating Handbook | King Air turboprop operators and study | Beech King Air A-90 series |
| Cessna 100 Series 1963-68 Maintenance Manual | Maintenance / Service Manual | Mechanics and owners inspecting or repairing an airframe | Cessna 100 series (1963-68) |
Click any product for current pricing.
Types of aircraft manuals
Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)
The POH is the standardized handbook format adopted for aircraft built from the mid-1970s onward, organized into uniform sections such as limitations, normal and emergency procedures, performance, and weight and balance. Each POH is tied to a specific make, model, and year, like the Cessna 172N Skyhawk POH or the Piper PA28-161 Warrior II POH. Browse the full POH range by maker in the Cessna aircraft manuals and Piper aircraft manuals hubs.
Pilot's Information Manual (PIM)
A Pilot's Information Manual is a reprint of the POH for a given model that is not tied to one individual airframe's serial number, which makes it ideal for study, transition training, and reference rather than as the document carried in a specific certified aircraft. The Cessna 182S Pilot's Information Manual is a typical example for the Skylane line.
Owner's Manual (pre-1979 aircraft)
Light aircraft built before the standardized POH era, such as early Cessnas and Pipers, shipped with an Owner's Manual instead. These cover the same essential operating information in an earlier, less standardized layout. The Cessna 150F 1966 Owner's Manual is a good reference for vintage trainer owners. Find more in the Cessna 150 manuals collection.
Maintenance, service, and engine manuals
Maintenance and service manuals are written for the mechanic rather than the pilot and cover inspection, repair, and overhaul. Owners and shops working on an airframe should pair the handbook with the matching service documentation, such as the Cessna 100 Series Maintenance Manual, or an engine reprint like the Lycoming O-360-A Series Overhaul Manual. For more, see our aircraft maintenance and ownership resources.
Browse aircraft manuals by manufacturer
- Cessna aircraft manuals are the deepest part of the catalog. Drill into the Cessna 172 POH, Cessna 182, Cessna 150, and Cessna 206 handbooks by year.
- Piper aircraft manuals cover the fleet, including the popular PA-28 Cherokee and Warrior series and the Piper Aerostar.
- Beech aircraft manuals include the turboprop Beech King Air line.
- Mooney aircraft manuals and Grumman aircraft manuals round out the major general aviation makes, including the Grumman AA-5B Tiger.
How to choose the right aircraft manual
- Match the make, model, and year exactly. Performance numbers and limitations change between model years, so confirm the manual matches your tail before you buy. Start from your manufacturer hub, such as Cessna or Piper, then drill down to your model.
- Know which type you need. A pilot wants the POH, Pilot's Information Manual, or Owner's Manual; a mechanic wants the maintenance or service manual. The two are written for different audiences and are not interchangeable.
- POH versus PIM. Choose a Pilot's Information Manual when you want a model-specific reference for study and training, and an original or officially approved document when one is required for a specific certified aircraft.
- Pair the handbook with study material. To understand the systems behind the procedures, add resources from our flight training and ground school materials, and new students can work through our student pilot supplies checklist.
Important: reproduction POHs are for training and reference purposes only and do not replace FAA-required original or officially approved AFM documentation for certified operations.
Why buy from Pilot Mall
- Aviation-only focus: we sell pilot gear and reference material and nothing else, so our team knows the difference between a POH, a PIM, and a service manual.
- Trusted by pilots for more than 25 years, with reproduction manuals sourced for hundreds of aircraft models.
- Hard-to-find coverage: reprints for out-of-print and rare older aircraft that are difficult to source anywhere else.
- Free U.S. shipping over $100.
- Expert guidance from a team that flies, available before and after your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a POH and an AFM?
A Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) is the standardized operating handbook produced by the manufacturer, while an Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) is the FAA-approved document for a specific airframe. For many aircraft the POH and AFM are combined, but the approved AFM portion is the legally controlling document for that individual aircraft.
What information is contained in a Pilot's Operating Handbook?
A Pilot's Operating Handbook contains the information a pilot needs to operate the aircraft safely: general specifications, operating limitations, normal and emergency procedures, performance charts, weight and balance data, a systems description, and handling and servicing notes. Post-1976 POHs follow a standardized nine-section layout so pilots can find each topic quickly.
What is the difference between a POH and a Pilot's Information Manual (PIM)?
A POH is tied to a specific aircraft by serial number and is intended as that airplane's operating document, while a Pilot's Information Manual (PIM) is a model-wide reprint of the same content that is not aircraft-specific. A PIM is meant for study, transition training, and reference rather than as the document carried in a certified aircraft.
Why did aircraft built before 1979 use an Owner's Manual instead of a POH?
The standardized POH format was adopted through an industry specification in the mid-1970s, so light aircraft built before that transition shipped with an Owner's Manual instead. Owner's Manuals cover the same essential operating information as a POH but use an earlier, less uniform layout that varies by manufacturer and model year.
Can a reproduction POH be used for legal flight operations?
No. Reproduction POHs are for training and reference purposes only and do not replace the FAA-required original or officially approved AFM documentation for certified operations. Use a reprint to study, review procedures, or replace a worn study copy, and keep the original or approved document with the aircraft as required.
What is the difference between a POH and a maintenance or service manual?
A POH or Owner's Manual is written for the pilot and covers operating limitations, performance, weight and balance, and emergency procedures. A maintenance or service manual is written for the mechanic and covers inspection, repair, and overhaul. They serve different audiences, so owners working on an airframe usually need both.
