Standard Specification for Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)

1.1 This specification provides the minimum requirements for an Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed, manufactured, and operated in the small UAS (sUAS) category as defined by a nation’s Governing Aviation Authority (GAA). Depending on the size and complexity of the sUAS, an AFM may also contain the instruction for maintenance and continuing airworthiness for owner / operator authorized maintenance.

1.2 This specification defines the AFM information that shall be provided by the manufacturer of a sUAS as part of the initial sale or transfer to an end user.

1.3 This specification applies to a sUAS seeking a nation’s GAA approval, in the form of flight certificates, airworthiness certificates, type certificates, flight permits, or other like documentation as a sUAS, in the configuration specified in the AFM delivered with the system.

1.4 Any modifications that invalidate or otherwise affect the accuracy of AFM operating instructions shall be approved by the manufacturer and communicated to the regulatory authority in the certificate / permit application.