safety, a pilot/controller glossary of terms used in the  system, and information on safety, accidents, and reporting  of hazards. This manual is offered for sale on a subscription  basis or is available online at: http://bookstore.gpo.gov.  Order forms are provided at the beginning of the manual or  online and should be sent to the Superintendent of Documents,  United States Government Printing Office (GPO). The AIM  is complemented by other operational publications that are  available via separate subscriptions or online.  Handbooks are developed to provide specific information  about a particular topic that enhances training or understanding.  The FAA publishes a variety of handbooks that generally fall  into three categories: aircraft, aviation, and examiners and  inspectors.  [Figure 1-15]  These handbooks can be purchased  from the Superintendent of Documents or downloaded at www.  faa.gov/regulations_policies. Aviation handbooks are also  published by various commercial aviation companies. Aircraft  flight manuals commonly called Pilot Operating Handbooks  (POH) are documents developed by the airplane manufacturer,  approved by the FAA, and are specific to a particular make  and model aircraft by serial number. This subject is covered  in greater detail in Chapter 8, “Flight Manuals and Other  Documents,” of this handbook.  [Figure 1-16]  of a text book used in a classroom or a one page document.  Some ACs are free while others cost money. They are to  be used for information only and are not regulations. The  FAA website www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_  circulars/ provides a database that is a searchable repository  of all aviation safety ACs. All ACs, current and historical,  are provided and can be viewed as a portable document  format (PDF) copy.  ACs provide a single, uniform, agency-wide system that the  FAA uses to deliver advisory material to FAA customers,  industry, the aviation community, and the public. An AC  may be needed to:  An AC is an informational document that the FAA wants to  distribute to the aviation community. This can be in the form  1-10  Handbooks  Advisory Circulars (ACs)  • Provide an acceptable, clearly understood method for  complying with a regulation  Figure 1-14.  Aeronautical Information Manual.  Figure 1-15.  A sample of handbooks available to the public. Most  can be downloaded free of charge from the FAA website.  The Aeronautical Information Manual is designed to provide  the aviation community with basic flight information and  ATC procedures for use in the NAS of the United States. It  also contains the fundamentals required in order to fly in the  United States NAS, including items of interest to pilots  concerning health/medical facts, factors affecting flight safety, etc.  Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)  The Aircraft Flying Handbooks are designed as technical  manuals to introduce basic pilot skills and knowledge that  are essential for piloting aircraft. They provide information  on transition to other aircraft and the operation of various  aircraft systems.  Aircraft Flying Handbooks (by category)  The Aviation Instructor’s Handbook provides the foundation  for beginning instructors to understand and apply the  fundamentals of instructing. This handbook also provides  aviation instructors with up-to-date information on learning  and teaching, and how to relate this information to the task  of conveying aeronautical knowledge and skills to students.  Experienced aviation instructors also find the new and  updated information useful for improving their effectiveness  in training activities.  Aviation Instructor’s Handbook  The Instrument Flying Handbook is designed for use by  instrument flight instructors and pilots preparing for instrument rating tests. Instructors find this handbook a  valuable training aid as it includes basic reference material  for knowledge testing and instrument flight training.  Instrument Flying Handbook  The Instrument Procedures Handbook is designed as a  technical reference for professional pilots who operate  under IFR in the NAS and expands on information contained  in the Instrument Flying Handbook.  Instrument Procedures Handbook 