AF Form 3822 Landing Zone Survey – Official Guide 2026

AF Form 3822 Landing Zone Survey – Official Guide 2026 – The AF Form 3822, officially titled Landing Zone Survey, is a critical U.S. Air Force document used to assess, document, and approve unimproved or austere landing zones (LZs) for fixed-wing aircraft operations. It ensures safety by capturing detailed data on LZ dimensions, surface conditions, slopes, obstructions, coordinates, and environmental factors before any aircraft lands.

This form plays a vital role in contingency response, special operations, air mobility, and training missions where prepared runways are unavailable. Pilots, aircrews, Contingency Response Groups (CRG), Special Tactics Teams, and survey personnel rely on a valid, approved AF Form 3822 to determine if an LZ is safe and suitable for operations.

Why AF Form 3822 Matters for Safe LZ Operations

Landing on unprepared surfaces carries significant risks, including runway excursions, foreign object debris (FOD), slope-related control issues, and obstacle penetrations. The AF Form 3822 standardizes the survey process to mitigate these risks by documenting:

  • Physical dimensions and gradients
  • Surface strength and soil profiles
  • Obstructions and approach/departure clearances
  • Precise geolocation data (MGRS, WGS84 coordinates)
  • Approval chain for operational use

According to DAFMAN 13-217, Drop Zone and Landing Zone Operations, all airdrop, air land, and forward arming/refueling point (FARP) operations require a valid (approved and current) survey or MAJCOM-approved equivalent. The AF Form 3822 serves as the primary documentation tool for fixed-wing LZs.

A recent article from Air Education and Training Command (AETC) emphasized that whether an LZ is unprepared, semi-prepared, or paved, a proper survey evaluates safety risks before use.

Who Uses AF Form 3822?

Primary users include:

  • Survey teams (e.g., Combat Control Teams, Contingency Response Forces, RED HORSE, Special Tactics)
  • LZ Controlling Agencies or Range Control
  • Reviewers and Approving Authorities (often at unit, MAJCOM, or theater level)
  • Aircrews and planners who review the completed form prior to operations

Contingency Response Groups and Air Advisors frequently conduct these surveys during worldwide deployments and airfield opening operations.

Note: A separate form, AF Form 4303, exists specifically for Helicopter Landing Zones (HLZs), while AF Form 3823 covers Drop Zones (DZs).

Key Sections of AF Form 3822 (20210706 Version)

The current form (dated 20210706) is prescribed by DAFMAN 13-217 and is a two-page document. Here are the main blocks:

Block 1 – Identification

  • 1A: LZ Name
  • 1B: ZAR Index No. (Zone Availability Report reference)
  • 2A: Country / 2B: State (if applicable)
  • 3: Map Series/Sheet Number/Edition/Date

Block 4 – Survey Approval/Disapproval Data

  • Date Surveyed
  • Typed Name, Grade, Unit, Location, and DSN/Phone of Surveyor
  • Reviewer and Approving Authority sections (with dates, signatures, and disapproval option)

LZ Dimensions and Geometry (in feet)

  • Width, Approach End Overrun, Departure End Overrun
  • A-Zones and B-Zones (obstruction clearance areas)
  • Longitudinal and transverse gradients/slopes

Axis and Coordinate Data

  • Approach End, Departure End, and Highest Point magnetic/grid/true bearings
  • MGRS coordinates, WGS84 Latitude/Longitude
  • Grid Zone, Easting, Northing
  • Ground point elevation
  • Spheroid/Datum used
  • Magnetic variation source/date

Surface and Performance Data

  • Surface type and soil strength profile
  • Glide slope ratio
  • Additional penetrations (obstructions)

Additional Sections

  • LZ Diagram (see attached)
  • Remarks
  • Photography Available: Yes/No
  • Low-level routes (if applicable)
  • LZ Controlling Agency/Range Control

Detailed completion guidance appears in Attachment 5 of DAFMAN 13-217. Surveyors must use proper surveying equipment for accurate obstruction clearances, soil analysis, and GPS-derived coordinates.

How to Complete and Submit AF Form 3822??

  1. Conduct the physical survey — Measure dimensions, slopes, surface conditions, and clear all approach/departure and transitional surfaces for obstacles.
  2. Document all data accurately on the form, attaching diagrams, photos, and soil profiles as required.
  3. Obtain review and approval — The chain includes the surveyor, reviewer, and approving authority. Disapproval is an explicit option if the LZ does not meet safety criteria.
  4. Forward for inclusion (when applicable) in the Zone Availability Report (ZAR) or theater databases.
  5. Retain currency — Surveys typically have expiration periods (often tied to 5 years for related DZ surveys; check current MAJCOM guidance for LZs).

Download the Official Form:
AF Form 3822 Landing Zone Survey PDF (Direct from Air Force e-Publishing).

Always reference the latest version on the official Air Force e-Publishing site and DAFMAN 13-217 for instructions.

  • DAFMAN 13-217 — Primary guidance for DZ/LZ operations and survey procedures (includes Attachment 5 for AF Form 3822).
  • AFI 10-202 — Air Force Airfield Operations, which tasks survey teams to provide AF Form 3822 data.
  • AFTTP 3-4.7 (Contingency Response) and other multiservice TTPs for airfield opening.
  • Zone Availability Report (ZAR) — Centralized listing of surveyed zones (accessible to .mil users).

Survey teams should also consult MAJCOM supplements and Engineering Technical Letters (ETLs) for specific criteria on surface strength, imaginary surfaces, and aircraft compatibility.

Best Practices for LZ Surveys

  • Use GPS with WGS84 datum for coordinates.
  • Verify magnetic variation and provide source/date.
  • Document any penetrations into approach surfaces clearly.
  • Include high-quality photographs and diagrams.
  • Coordinate early with the LZ controlling agency or range control.
  • Ensure the approving authority has the necessary qualifications and theater awareness.

Proper use of the AF Form 3822 directly supports mission success while protecting aircrews and aircraft in austere environments.

Need the Form or More Guidance?

Download the latest AF Form 3822 directly from the official source linked above. For detailed how-to instructions, refer to DAFMAN 13-217 on e-Publishing.af.mil. Units should maintain trained survey personnel and follow all safety-of-flight standards.

Keywords: AF Form 3822, Landing Zone Survey, Air Force LZ survey, DAFMAN 13-217, austere landing zone, contingency response LZ, fixed-wing LZ survey, ZAR index.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available official U.S. Air Force publications as of 2026. Always consult the most current versions on e-Publishing.af.mil and your local instructions or MAJCOM guidance before conducting operations.