AF Form 4031: CRM/TEM Skills Training & Evaluation (2026)

AF Form 4031: CRM/TEM Skills Training & Evaluation (2026) – U.S. Air Force aircrew members, instructors, and evaluators rely on AF Form 4031, officially titled CRM/TEM Skills Criteria Training/Evaluation, as a key tool for assessing and improving Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM) skills. This form helps maintain the highest standards of flight safety, mission effectiveness, and team performance in demanding aviation environments.

Air Force personnel use the form during initial qualification training, recurring evaluations, continuation training events, and when addressing substandard CRM/TEM performance. It provides a standardized framework to evaluate critical non-technical skills that complement aircraft-specific procedures and technical proficiency.

What Is AF Form 4031?

AF Form 4031 is a prescribed form under AFMAN 11-290, Air Force Enhanced Crew Resource Management & Threat and Error Management Program (dated 25 October 2021). It establishes clear skills training and evaluation criteria for CRM/TEM. MAJCOMs, FOAs, or DRUs may approve substitutes, but the core AF Form 4031 remains the baseline.

The form shifts focus from purely technical flying skills to human factors performance. It enables instructors and evaluators to:

  • Observe and rate specific CRM/TEM behaviors.
  • Identify strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Collect data for trend analysis (often including non-PII crew demographics).
  • Support debriefs and targeted remedial training.

Download the official AF Form 4031 PDF directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/form/af4031/af4031.pdf.

Purpose of AF Form 4031 in the USAF CRM/TEM Program

The Air Force CRM/TEM program aims to equip aircrew with performance-enhancing knowledge and skills to recognize, manage, and mitigate conditions that lead to errors. CRM emphasizes effective use of all available resources (people, information, and equipment), while TEM specifically addresses identifying threats, managing errors, and maintaining or recovering margins of safety.

AF Form 4031 serves as the primary evaluation tool for these skills during:

  • Designated CRM/TEM training events (such as refresher or ground training).
  • Initial and recurring qualification evaluations (often in conjunction with AF Form 3862, Flight Evaluation Worksheet).
  • Scenarios where substandard performance is observed.

Evaluators use the form to assess skills across all aircrew positions. Data collected helps units identify trends and refine training programs before incidents occur. In organizations like Air Mobility Command (AMC), the form (sometimes referenced as AMC Form 4031 in legacy contexts) gathers demographic information alongside skill ratings for broader human factors analysis.

Key CRM/TEM Skills Evaluated on AF Form 4031

Although the exact layout of the current PDF includes specific behavioral criteria and a rating scale, the form generally organizes evaluation around core CRM areas. Common skills referenced across USAF guidance and the form include:

  • Situational Awareness (SA) — Maintaining accurate perception of the aircraft, environment, mission, and team status.
  • Communication — Clear, concise, timely, and effective information exchange using standard terminology.
  • Crew Coordination / Flight Integrity — Working together as a cohesive team, including leadership, followership, and workload distribution.
  • Decision Making / Risk Management — Systematic assessment of risks and sound aeronautical decision-making.
  • Task Management — Prioritizing, delegating, and managing tasks effectively under pressure.
  • Mission Planning / Debriefing — Thorough preparation and structured after-action reviews to capture lessons learned.

Some references highlight four main evaluation areas: situational awareness, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, with detailed sub-behaviors. The form typically uses a rating scale (e.g., observed/not observed, or graded levels) and space for comments. Instructors reference the specific behavioral examples listed on the form to ensure objective, standardized assessments.

TEM components integrated into the evaluation focus on:

  • Threat recognition and avoidance.
  • Error detection and management.
  • Undesired aircraft or mission states.
  • Countermeasures and strategies to preserve safety margins.

The form is used as a framework even when not formally filled out for every flight evaluation, ensuring CRM/TEM remains integrated into overall performance grading.

How to Use AF Form 4031: Training and Evaluation Process

  1. Preparation — Review AFMAN 11-290 and your MAJCOM supplement or aircraft-specific AFMAN 11-2MDS Volume 2 guidance.
  2. Observation — During training events, simulators, or flights, observe behaviors against the criteria listed on the form.
  3. Rating — Apply the form’s rating scale to each relevant skill. Provide specific examples in the comments section.
  4. Debrief — Use the completed form to conduct a structured debrief, reinforcing positive behaviors and creating actionable improvement plans.
  5. Documentation — Retain records per applicable records disposition schedules. Aggregate data (non-PII) supports unit and MAJCOM trend monitoring.
  6. Instructor/Evaluator Training — All instructors and evaluators must receive specific training on proper use of AF Form 4031 as part of their upgrade or continuation program.

The form is mandatory (or its approved substitute) for designated CRM/TEM events and serves as a reference during all aircrew evaluations.

Why CRM/TEM Skills Matter in Today’s Air Force?

Modern Air Force missions involve complex, high-tempo operations with multi-domain threats, automated systems, and joint or coalition crews. Strong CRM/TEM skills reduce human error—the leading cause of aviation mishaps—by improving teamwork, communication, and error trapping. Consistent use of AF Form 4031 ensures these critical skills receive the same rigorous evaluation as technical proficiency.

Units that actively trend data from AF Form 4031 can proactively strengthen training syllabi, reduce mishap potential, and enhance overall mission readiness.

  • AFMAN 11-290 — Primary guidance for the Enhanced CRM & TEM Program.
  • AFMAN 11-202, Volume 2 — Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation Program (integrates CRM/TEM grading).
  • Aircraft-specific AFMAN 11-2MDS Volume 1 & 2 — Mission Design Series training and evaluation requirements.
  • AF Form 3862 — Flight Evaluation Worksheet (used alongside Form 4031).

Always check the official Air Force e-Publishing website (e-publishing.af.mil) for the latest versions of forms and manuals, as publications are periodically updated.

Download AF Form 4031

Access the current fillable or printable version here:
AF Form 4031 PDF Download

For questions on implementation, consult your unit Stan/Eval section, CRM program manager, or MAJCOM guidance.

Bottom Line: AF Form 4031 is more than paperwork—it is a proven tool that sharpens the human element of aircrew performance. Mastering its use directly contributes to safer flights, more effective missions, and a stronger fighting force.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available U.S. Air Force publications as of 2026. Always refer to the most current official directives on e-publishing.af.mil for compliance.