"The operations manual should cover the aircraft and systems description@ operational procedures (normal and abnormal)@ and operational performance of the aircraft in a form usable by the flight crew. Coverage should be limited to information that is used in flight. By eliminating reference to ground procedures (except preflight responsibilities)@ many system procedures such as engine trimming@ ground run check@ etc. can be eliminated. The emphasis then centers on in-flight procedures. The depth of system coverage in the manual is determined by examining the controls and equipment readily available to the flight crew in flight. System coverage is ""as required"" since it is presented from ""what you do when...""or ""how can you do...."" This policy also results in maximum ""wheat"" and minimum ""chaff"" in the manual. The manual contains what is needed and usable@ not a blanket system coverage. The manual should be aimed at in-flight use by qualified crew members. The flight crew receives initial ground and flight training in a comparatively short and concentrated period and then operates the aircraft for years. Therefore@ an operations manual should be composed of material to be used by a qualified crew man. Material@ such as basic power plant@ basic electrical@ etc.@ should be a training supplement and not a part of the operations manual. Obviously@ the operations manual is a major portion of the training program. After qualification@ however@ the supplemental information can be left at home. Another advantage is the reduced bulk which allows a crew member to rapidly find specific information in the manual. This is no small item@ since time is usually a factor when the crew seeks information from a manual in flight. Information should be written using an ""operational"" approach that is practical to use. The coverage supplied by the aircraft manufacturer should be ""practically"" usable in flight@ considering not only the system pattern of control manipulation@ and ability to complete many procedures during the critical phases (takeoff and landing) of flight. Material should be logically laid out and easily found. A wealth of information contained in a manual is useless unless it can be readily found by a crew member in flight under adverse conditions. The size of the manual not the prime consideration but is nevertheless a consideration. Previously listed policies of providing operational information usable in flight be qualified crew members provide the major contribution to meeting this objective. The FAA approved flight manual may be inserted in the operations manual if desired by the operator. Tab dividers will be provided by the manufacturer for this purpose. PURPOSE The purpose of this information report is to provide a guide for airframe manufacturers to use in the preparation of operations manuals to be used by flight deck crews for safe and efficient aircraft operation."
SAE AIR938-1966 history
1975SAE AIR938-1975 Guide For Preparation of Operations Manuals For Airframe Manufacturers
1966SAE AIR938-1966 GUIDE FOR PREPARATION OF OPERATIONS MANUALS BY AIRFRAME MANUFACTURERS