"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote in message
...

Yes it does - some legal force, but the amount of force
varies. A regulation (FAR) or statute carries legal force
like the proverbial "irresistible force." The AIM carries
force more like a wind that varies from time to time or
place to place. Any court or tribunal will pay some
attention to the AIM as a set of written standards and
practices that are presumptively good. They're not
mandatory and pilots can deviate from those standards. Many
do, with good reason, but if you're accused of something
like "careless and reckless operation," it's nicer to be
doing what the AIM recommends than something else.


Please cite a case where someone was charged with acting contrary to the
AIM.