A Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) is an approved, aircraft-specific quick-access manual that supplements the flight-crew's knowledge. It gathers hundreds of actions and references for abnormal and emergency conditions into an easy-to-use format, giving pilots immediate access to every checklist the airplane can require.
Expert behind this article
Jim Goodrich
Jim Goodrich is a pilot, aviation expert and founder of Tsunami Air.
What is a QRH in aviation?
A Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) is a quick-access manual for aircraft pilots that contains all the procedures applicable for non-normal and emergency conditions in an easy-to-use format.
QRH stands for Quick Reference Handbook, a quick-access manual kept in the cockpit and approved for a specific airplane and operator. It supplies pilots with immediate, detailed procedures for abnormal and emergency situations, covering engine failures, fires, medical events, and less-common tasks like de-icing or cross-bleed starts. The handbook holds all non-normal checklists, normal checklists printed on the back cover, performance data corrections, system descriptions, and a quick-action index. Symbols like precaution, decision, and separator guide error-resistant use. Aircraft lacking ECAM or EICAS rely on the QRH as the sole reference for any abnormal or emergency condition, while ECAM/EICAS-equipped types use it in coordination or as a back-up when the electronic system does not sense a failure. By guaranteeing standardized, rapid response and minimizing operational impact, the QRH improves flight safety for pilots and, through coordinated procedures, indirectly supports cabin crew and overall flight.
