Which type of manuals provide both general and specific instructions that are required for maintenance on aircraft and support equipment?

The type of manuals that provide both general and specific instructions for maintenance on aircraft and support equipment are Maintenance Instructions Manuals (MIMs). These manuals are crucial for aviation machinists because they contain detailed procedures that technicians must follow to ensure proper maintenance, repairs, and compliance with standards. MIMs are designed to be comprehensive and cover a variety of maintenance tasks, making them essential references for personnel tasked with maintaining aircraft and associated support equipment.

In contrast, commercial manuals are typically more general and may not contain the specific maintenance procedures required for military or specialized aircraft. Technical handbooks can vary widely in their focus and may not always include the level of detail necessary for specific maintenance tasks on aircraft. User guides tend to provide basic operational instructions rather than detailed maintenance actions. MIMs stand out because they are specifically created to address the needs of technicians for both routine maintenance and troubleshooting, making them indispensable in the field.