AF Form 1520: ARMS Flight Pay Worksheet Guide & Download

AF Form 1520: ARMS Flight Pay Worksheet Guide & Download – U.S. Air Force aviators and aircrew members who perform frequent and regular flying duties often qualify for conditional flying incentive pay, such as Aviation Incentive Pay (AvIP) or Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP). Accurate tracking of flight hours is essential to ensure proper entitlement and avoid pay discrepancies. The AF Form 1520, officially titled ARMS Individual Flight Pay Entitlement Worksheet, serves as the primary tool for this purpose within the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS).

This article explains the form’s purpose, who uses it, how to complete it step by step, key rules for flight pay entitlement, and where to download the latest version. It draws from official Air Force sources including the form itself, AFMAN 11-421 (Aviation Resource Management), and DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Volume 7A, Chapter 22.

What Is AF Form 1520?

AF Form 1520 is a worksheet used to track an individual’s monthly flight hours and determine eligibility for conditional flying incentive pay for both rated and non-rated flyers. It helps Aviation Resource Management (ARM) personnel monitor whether a member meets the minimum flying requirements each month, applies excess hours (banking or borrowing), manages grace periods, and decides if pay should start, continue, or stop.

The form is maintained in conjunction with the member’s Individual Flight Record and the Flying Pay Control Document generated from ARMS. It acts as a source document for validating pay entitlement in the Defense Joint Military Pay System.

Note: There is a related form, AF Form 1520A, specifically for Air Reserve Component (ARC) members.

Who Uses AF Form 1520 and When?

  • Primary users: Host Aviation Resource Management (HARM) offices, flight pay technicians, and unit ARM personnel responsible for aircrew pay.
  • Applicability: Rated officers (qualifying for AvIP) and non-rated personnel or support flyers (qualifying for HDIP) who are on valid aeronautical orders requiring frequent and regular flying duty in a conditional flight pay status.
  • Frequency: Updated monthly. At the start of each month, ARM offices print the Flying Pay Control Document from ARMS and use it alongside the member’s flight records to complete or update the AF Form 1520.
  • Retention: Keep forms in a suspense file. When a member out-processes, file the AF Form 1520 in their Flight Record Folder (FRF) and retain a copy at the HARM office for 24 months.

The form ensures compliance with entitlement rules under 10 U.S.C. § 334, DoD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 22, and AFMAN 11-421.

Key Types of Flight Pay Tracked with AF Form 1520

  • Aviation Incentive Pay (AvIP) — For rated officers in aviation service (continuous or conditional). Monthly rates (effective since 2017, still current as of 2026 references) vary by years of aviation service:
    • 2 or less: $150
    • Over 2: $250
    • Over 6: $700
    • Over 12: $1,000
    • Over 22: $700
    • Over 24: $450
  • Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP) — For non-rated crewmembers or when rated members do not qualify for AvIP but meet flying hour requirements. Rates are generally lower (e.g., $150–$250 range depending on status and rank).
  • Critical Skill Incentive Pay (CSIP) or Career Enlisted Flyer Incentive Pay (CEFIP) — Separate but related programs for enlisted flyers; the AF Form 1520 primarily supports conditional tracking for AvIP/HDIP.

Members must hold current aeronautical ratings or qualifications per AFI 11-401 and AFMAN 11-402, and perform creditable flying duties.

How to Complete AF Form 1520 – Step-by-Step Instructions?

Follow the instructions printed on the back of the form (AF Form 1520, 20180904, V1 – previous editions are obsolete). Here is a structured breakdown:

  1. Verify Eligibility — Confirm the member is on valid aeronautical orders requiring frequent and regular flying in conditional pay status.
  2. Header Information:
    • Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial
    • Grade/Rank
    • Unit
    • Aviation Service Code (ASC) and ASC Effective Date
    • Circle the applicable pay: AvIP or HDIP
    • Enter the first month on orders (or continuation month) in the “Month” column.
  3. Monthly Columns (A–F):
    • Hours Required — Minimum flight hours for the month (typically 4.0 hours for a full calendar month; use DoD FMR Table 22-3 for fractional months).
    • Hours Flown — Actual creditable hours logged (primary, secondary, instructor, or evaluator status while attaining/maintaining qualification). Not all flight time counts (e.g., “O” or “X” status, indoctrination, or non-interference flights usually do not).
    • Monthly Excess Hours — Hours flown above the requirement.
    • Borrowed Hours / Borrowed Month — Excess hours applied from prior months (if borrowing during a shortfall).
    • Excess Hours Bank (Includes Unused) — Track banked excess time. Apply within specific windows (darkened borders on the form limit carry-forward/back periods).
    • Pay (Y/N) — Mark “Y” if qualified for the month; “N” if not.
    • Remarks — Note grace period start/end, waivers, or special circumstances (e.g., “Start grace period”).

Important Rules:

  • Apply the first 4 hours (or fractional equivalent) to the current month.
  • Excess hours can offset shortfalls in the current month, be banked for future use (up to 5 succeeding months), or borrowed from prior months (limited grace period rules).
  • Grace Period: Starts on the first month a member fails requirements (if met the prior month). Allows 2–3 months to catch up. Specific rules prevent indefinite carry-back; refer to AFMAN 11-421 for details and possible 6-month waivers (requiring 24 hours flown).
  • Unused hours or insufficient time go into the bank but follow strict application borders.

Update the form using ARMS data and the member’s Individual Flight Record. This determines whether to submit a Military Pay Order (MPO) to start, stop, or adjust pay.

Why Accurate Completion Matters?

Errors on AF Form 1520 can lead to improper payment, debt collection, or delays in compensation. The form supports audit trails and ensures compliance with DoD pay policy. It also helps members maximize entitled pay by properly managing excess flight hours and grace periods.

Download the Official AF Form 1520

Access the current fillable PDF directly from the official Air Force e-Publishing site:

→ Download AF Form 1520 PDF: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/form/af1520/af1520.pdf

Always use the latest version from e-Publishing.af.mil for official use. Do not rely on unofficial copies.

Additional Resources

  • AFMAN 11-421, Aviation Resource Management — Detailed procedural guidance on flight pay rules.
  • DoD FMR Volume 7A, Chapter 22 — Governing regulation for aviation incentive pays and hour requirements.
  • DFAS Military Pay Tables — Current AvIP and related rates (check dfas.mil for any updates).
  • Your unit’s HARM office or base Finance office for questions on individual cases.

For Air Reserve Component members, use AF Form 1520A instead.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on official publications as of the latest available data. Pay entitlement depends on individual circumstances, current orders, and qualification status. Always consult your servicing HARM office, Finance, or legal advisor for personalized guidance. Regulations and rates are subject to change.

Keywords: AF Form 1520, ARMS flight pay worksheet, Air Force individual flight pay entitlement, AvIP tracking, HDIP hours, aviation incentive pay Air Force, AFMAN 11-421, DoD FMR flight pay.

Last updated reference: 2026 – based on current Air Force e-Publishing and DFAS sources.