Originally Posted by fabgal
... I hear rumor that the AFM for the 400 series Twin Otter was written in a new format with some new procedures that will also be reflected in a new revision for the existing 300 series.
Hi Fabrizio:
The AFM for the Series 400 Twin Otter has been written in compliance with GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturer's Association) format, the details of which are set out in GAMA Specification 1. The GAMA format has been used by almost all Part 23 aircraft manufacturers since it was developed in the late 1980s. If you have seen a flight manual that was first published in the last 20 years, then you are familiar with this format. Examples include the Pilatus PC-12 AFM, the Cessna Caravan AFM, etc.
At the same time that the Series 400 AFM was written, the Series 300 AFM was re-written - also in GAMA organizational format. The normal, abnormal, and emergency operational procedures for the Series 300 Twin Otter have not changed substantially. Some sections, notably unusual attitude recovery, stall recovery, and procedures dealing with Flight in Known Icing have been updated with new information.
The new Series 300 AFM (at Revision 53) has more commonality with the checklists that FlightSafety has been using for the past 15 years than the existing (Revision 52) AFM. The new Series 300 manual is a bit easier to read than the old one, and it is substantially easier to find information in the new AFM - instead of one book for the AFM (PSM 1-63-1A), and one book for supplementary information (PSM 1-63-1), all the information is now contained in one POH. The new manuals (both Series 300 and Series 400) are now A5 page size (same as a Jeppesen chart), this to make it easier to use the AFM in the aircraft.
The primary reason for the rewrite of the Series 300 AFM was to provide a
common basis of procedures for operators of mixed fleets of Series 300 and 400 aircraft.
The Series 400 AFM was approved by Transport Canada in June 2010 and is being provided to Series 400 operators as deliveries of the aircraft are made. Your employer has a copy, it was provided with the delivery of SN 845.
The Series 300 AFM was approved by Transport Canada in September 2010 and will most likely be distributed to subscribers of the AFM revision service prior to the end of the year.
Michael