As with most certificated aircraft manufactured after March 1979, FAA-certificated gyroplanes are required to have an approved flight manual. The flight manual describes procedures and limitations that must be adhered to when operating the aircraft.  Specification for Pilot’s Operating Handbook , published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), provides a recommended format that more recent gyro- plane flight manuals follow. [Figure 19-1] This format is the same as that used by helicopters, which is explained in depth in Chapter 6—Rotorcraft Flight Manual (Helicopter). Amateur-built gyroplanes may have operating limita- tions but are not normally required to have an approved flight manual. One exception is an exemption granted by the FAA that allows the commercial use of  two-place, amateur-built gyroplanes for instructional purposes. One of the conditions of this exemption is to have an approved flight manual for the aircraft. This manual is to be used for training purposes, and must be carried in the gyroplane at all times. The flight manual is required to be on board the aircraft to guarantee that the information contained therein is readily available. For the information to be of value, you must be thoroughly familiar with the manual and be able to read and properly interpret the various charts and tables. The weight and balance section of the flight manual contains information essential to the safe operation of the gyroplane. Careful consideration must be given to the weight of the passengers, baggage, and fuel prior to each flight. In conducting weight and balance compu- tations, many of the terms and procedures are similar to those used in helicopters. These are further explained in Chapter 7—Weight and Balance. In any aircraft, failure to adhere to the weight and balance limita- tions prescribed by the manufacturer can be extremely hazardous. As an example of a weight and balance computation, assume a sightseeing flight in a two-seat, tandem-con- figured gyroplane with two people aboard. The pilot, seated in the front, weighs 175 pounds while the rear seat passenger weighs 160 pounds. For the purposes of this example, there will be no baggage carried. The basic empty weight of the aircraft is 1,315 pounds with a moment, divided by 1,000, of 153.9 pound-inches. 19-1 SAMPLE PROBLEM WEIGHT AND BALANCE SECTION USING THE FLIGHT MANUAL ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL GLYPH<.notdef> GENERAL—Presents basic information, such as loading,  handling, and preflight of the gyroplane. Also includes  definitions, abbreviations, symbology, and terminology  explanations.GLYPH<.notdef> LIMITATIONS—Includes operating limitations, instrument  markings, color coding, and basic placards necessary for the  safe operation of the gyroplane.GLYPH<.notdef> EMERGENCY PROCEDURES—Provides checklists followed  by amplified procedures for coping with various types of  emergencies or critical situations. Related recommended  airspeeds are also included. At the manufacturer's option, a  section of abnormal procedures may be included to describe  recommendations for handling equipment malfunctions or other  abnormalities that are not of an emergency nature.GLYPH<.notdef> NORMAL PROCEDURES—Includes checklists followed by  amplified procedures for conducting normal operations.  Related recommended airspeeds are also provided.GLYPH<.notdef> PERFORMANCE—Gives performance information  appropriate to the gyroplane, plus optional information  presented in the most likely order for use in flight.GLYPH<.notdef> WEIGHT AND BALANCE—Includes weighing procedures,  weight and balance records, computation instructions, and  the equipment list.GLYPH<.notdef> AIRCRAFT AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION—Describes the  gyroplane and its systems in a format considered by the  manufacturer to be most informative.GLYPH<.notdef> HANDLING, SERVICE, AND MAINTENANCE—Includes  information on gyroplane inspection periods, preventative  maintenance that can be performed by the pilot, ground  handling procedures, servicing, cleaning, and care instructions.GLYPH<.notdef> SUPPLEMENTS—Contains information necessary to safely  and efficiently operate the gyroplane's various optional  systems and equipment.GLYPH<.notdef> SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL TIPS—Includes optional  information from the manufacturer of a general nature  addressing safety practices and procedures.GLYPH<.notdef> Figure 19-1. The FAA-approved flight manual may contain as many as ten sections, as well as an optional alphabetical index.