An "owner's manual" is a booklet prepared by an aircraft manufacturer containing whatever data it chose, in whatever format it chose. A POH is document containing the information required by Subpart G of Part 23 in a specified format. POH's must pass FAA scrutiny, while owner's manuals do not, and are s/n-specific including equipment lists, W&B data, etc, for that particular aircraft. For aircraft built in 1978 or later, an AFM/POH is required to be in the airplane when it's flown.
If it is a Cessna 182 built in 1974, there is only a generic owner's manual, which can be obtained from a number of internet soruces and is not specifically, legally required for flight (but a darn good idea to have for compliance with 91.103 and an absolute necessity for passing a practical test). Note, however, that some installed equipment (like a GPS or autopilot) may require a flight manual supplement, which must be present even if there is no requirement for a flight manual to supplement. This would be addressed in the STC or other documents covering the installation of that item.
For pre-78 aircraft, some yes, some no, and it's "no" for all the Cessna and Grumman singles I've checked. Pre-78 Pipers and Beeches, however, generally do have required AFM's (which are separate and different from their owner's manuals). So, the only way to be certain is to check the TCDS for your aircraft here:
But they name it Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) so it sounds cool, but not only do people not read it, they don't call it by its proper name.
Right you are. Just goes to show how important it is to be familiar with your particular aircraft's TCDS.The type certificate data sheet for Cessna 170 aircraft requires it in various forms at item number 402 under required equipment, on all models. This is a pre-1978 aircraft, obviously
Probably 1978.