# 14 CFR 91.9: Flight manual, markings and placards

> You must fly within the operating limitations in the approved flight manual and on the aircraft's markings and placards. A current approved flight manual, or the approved manual material and placards for older aircraft, has to be in the aircraft.

Source: https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-9
Official text: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-91.9 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-15; section last amended 2022-12-09)

## In plain English

- Operating limitations in the approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, markings and placards are binding. [(a)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-9#a)
- If the aircraft needs an approved flight manual under 21.5, a current one must be on board. [(b)(1)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-9#b-1)
- Older aircraft that do not need one must carry the approved manual material, markings and placards, or a combination. [(b)(2)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-9#b-2)
- The aircraft must carry its registration marks under Part 45 or 48. [(c)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-9#c)

## Common questions

**Is a photocopy of the POH enough?**

Where 21.5 requires an approved flight manual, the approved manual for that serial number must be on board. A generic information manual or a copy may not include the aircraft's own weight and balance and supplements.

**Do I need the weight and balance on board?**

The approved flight manual or manual material includes the aircraft's weight and balance data, which is why it is usually listed among the documents to carry.

## Official text of 14 CFR 91.9

Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, markings, and placards, or as otherwise prescribed by the certificating authority of the country of registry.

(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.

(c) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft unless that aircraft is identified in accordance with part 45 or 48of this chapter.

(d) Any person taking off or landing a helicopter certificated under part 29 of this chapter at a heliport constructed over water may make such momentary flight as is necessary for takeoff or landing through the prohibited range of the limiting height-speed envelope established for the helicopter if that flight through the prohibited range takes place over water on which a safe ditching can be accomplished and if the helicopter is amphibious or is equipped with floats or other emergency flotation gear adequate to accomplish a safe emergency ditching on open water.

## Related

- [14 CFR 91.203: Documents required on board](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-203.md)
- [14 CFR 91.205: Required instruments and equipment](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-205.md)
- [14 CFR 91.7: Flying only an airworthy aircraft](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-7.md)

AerScheduler keeps each aircraft's inspections and squawks in one place, and a grounded aircraft comes off the schedule. [https://www.aerscheduler.com/features/maintenance](https://www.aerscheduler.com/features/maintenance)

_The plain-English summary is AerScheduler's reading of the rule, not legal advice. The official text above is the eCFR's, published by the Office of the Federal Register; the eCFR is the current text._