General Information (Section 1) Preliminary Pages Operating Limitations (Section 2) Instrument Markings Airspeed Limitations ROBINSON R22 R OTORCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL Figure 5-1.  The RFM is a regulatory document in terms of the  maneuvers, procedures, and operating limitations described therein. 5-2 However, if “Pilot’s Operating Handbook” is used as the main  title instead of “Rotorcraft Flight Manual,” a statement must  be included on the title page indicating that the document  is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved  Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM).  [Figure 5-1] The general information section provides the basic descriptive  information on the rotorcraft and the powerplant. In some  manuals there is a three-view drawing of the rotorcraft that  provides the dimensions of various components, including  the overall length and width, and the diameter of the rotor  systems. This is a good place for pilots to quickly familiarize  themselves with the aircraft. Pilots need to be aware of the  dimensions of the helicopter since they often must decide  the suitability of an operations area for themselves, as well  as hanger space, landing pad, and ground handling needs. Not including the preliminary pages, an FAA-approved  RFM may contain as many as ten sections. These sections  are: General Information; Operating Limitations; Emergency  Procedures; Normal Procedures; Performance; Weight  and Balance; Aircraft and Systems Description; Handling,  Servicing, and Maintenance Supplements; and Safety  and Operational Tips. Manufacturers have the option of  including a tenth section on safety and operational tips and  an alphabetical index at the end of the handbook. Pilots can find definitions, abbreviations, explanations of  symbology, and some of the terminology used in the manual  at the end of this section. At the option of the manufacturer,  metric and other conversion tables may also be included. While RFMs may appear similar for the same make and  model of aircraft, each flight manual is unique since it  contains specific information about a particular aircraft,  such as the equipment installed, and weight and balance  information. Therefore, manufacturers are required to include  the serial number and registration on the title page to identify  the aircraft to which the flight manual belongs. If a flight  manual does not indicate a specific aircraft registration and  serial number, it is limited to general study purposes only. The operating limitations section contains only those  limitations required by regulation or that are necessary for  the safe operation of the rotorcraft, powerplant, systems,  and equipment. It includes operating limitations, instrument  markings, color coding, and basic placards. Some of the  areas included are: airspeed, altitude, rotor, and powerplant  limitations, including fuel and oil requirements; weight and  loading distribution; and flight limitations. Most manufacturers include a table of contents, which  identifies the order of the entire manual by section number  and title. In addition, some helicopters may include a log of  changes or a revision page to track changes to the manual.  Usually, each section also contains its own table of contents.  Page numbers reflect the section being read, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, and  so on. If the flight manual is published in looseleaf form, each  section is usually marked with a divider tab indicating the  section number or title, or both. The emergency procedures  section may have a red tab for quick identification and  reference. Instrument markings may include, but are not limited to,  green, red, and yellow ranges for the safe operation of the  aircraft. The green marking indicates a range of continuous  operation. The red range indicates the maximum or minimum  operation allowed while the yellow range indicates a caution  or transition area.  Airspeed limitations are shown on the airspeed indicator  by color coding and on placards or graphs in the aircraft. A  red line on the airspeed indicator shows the airspeed limit  beyond which structural damage could occur. This is called  the never exceed speed, or V$_{NE}$. The normal operating speed  range is depicted by a green arc. A blue or a red cross-hatched  line is sometimes added to show the maximum autorotation  speed.  [Figure 5-2] Other airspeed limitations may be included in this section  of the RFM. Examples include reduced V$_{NE}$ when doors are  removed, maximum airspeed for level flight with maximum  continuous power (V$_{H}$), or restrictions when carrying an  external load. Pilots need to understand and adhere to all  airspeed limitations appropriate to the make, model, and  configuration of the helicopter being flown.