AF Form 1887: Aeronautical Order (PA) Aviation Service

AF Form 1887: Aeronautical Order (PA) Aviation Service – AF Form 1887, officially titled Aeronautical Order (PA) Aviation Service, is a key US Air Force form used to document, authorize, and manage aviation service for aircrew members, cadets, and certain other personnel. It serves as the official aeronautical order (AO) that places individuals on flying status, updates their aviation qualifications, or makes changes to their status.

This form is essential for tracking eligibility for flying duties, incentive pay, operational flying duty accumulator (OFDA) credit, and aeronautical ratings or badges. It integrates with the Air Force Operations Resource Management System (ARMS) and supports compliance with Air Force instructions on flight management and aviation service.

What Is AF Form 1887 Used For?

The primary purpose of AF Form 1887 is to publish aeronautical orders that:

  • Authorize flying or jump status for rated officers, career enlisted aviators (CEAs), non-rated aircrew, and cadets.
  • Initiate, amend, or terminate aviation service.
  • Assign or update Aviation Service Codes (ASC), Flying Activity Codes (FAC), Aviation Service Dates (ASD), and other personnel data.
  • Support actions such as qualification in specific aircraft, return to flying after disqualification, or temporary non-flying status.
  • Authorize cadets in approved USAFA or ROTC flying programs to participate in training sorties without entering them into full operational ARMS tracking or authorizing incentive pay.

“(PA)” in the form title typically refers to a specific category of aeronautical order, often linked to permanent or particular authorization actions in aviation service management. These orders are distinct from computer-generated ARMS AOs in some cases and are frequently used for manual or amendment purposes.

Aeronautical orders published via AF Form 1887 (or ARMS) are required for members to perform frequent and regular flight duties, maintain currency, and qualify for related benefits under policies like the Aviation Career Incentive Act.

Who Uses AF Form 1887?

  • Host Aviation Resource Management (HARM) offices — Primary preparers and publishers of the form.
  • Unit commanders and operations groups — For approving flying status, especially for cadets or special cases.
  • Rated pilots, CEAs, air battle managers, flight surgeons, and other aircrew.
  • USAFA and ROTC cadets participating in approved flying programs (with restrictions: no ASC, ASD, or incentive pay).
  • Government civilians or contractors in certain flying-related positions (handled case-by-case by HARM).
  • Flying Evaluation Boards (FEB) or waiver processes for disqualification/return to service.

HARM offices ensure orders align with DAFMAN 11-401 (Flight Management), AFMAN 11-402 (Aviation and Parachutist Service), and AFMAN 11-421.

  • DAFMAN 11-401 — Flight management, including cadet flying authorizations and temporary flying status.
  • AFMAN 11-402 — Aviation service guidelines, ratings, badges, and FEB procedures.
  • AFMAN 11-421 — Additional instructions for publishing and amending AOs, including use of AF Form 1887 for corrections.
  • ARMS — The system that often generates or tracks related aeronautical orders.

These documents emphasize that aircrew must have valid aeronautical orders, current flight physicals (AF Form 1042), physiological training, and other go/no-go items before flying.

How to Obtain and Download AF Form 1887?

The official blank form is available through the Air Force e-Publishing site:

→ Download AF Form 1887 PDF here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/form/af1887/af1887.pdf

Always use the most current version from e-publishing.af.mil for compliance. Third-party sites may host copies, but official sources ensure you have the latest fields and instructions.

Filling Out and Processing AF Form 1887

While detailed block-by-block instructions appear in older AFI 11-401 attachments and current manuals, general steps include:

  1. Identify the action — New authorization, amendment, termination, or cadet-specific order.
  2. Enter member information — Name, grade, SSN, organization, crew position, etc.
  3. Specify aviation details — Effective date, ASC, FAC, ASD, API (Aeronautical Position Indicator), and remarks.
  4. Include justifications — Such as MAJCOM approval letters for special cases (e.g., exercises or waivers).
  5. Obtain signatures — Typically from the CHARM (or SEI 066 qualified personnel) and commander as required. Common Access Card (CAC) signatures are authorized; stamps are not.
  6. Distribute copies — File in the member’s Flight Record Folder (FRF); update ARMS as applicable. For cadets, avoid full ARMS entry.

Amendments: Use AF Form 1887 to correct minor errors (e.g., name spelling, dates) while referencing the original order. Underline changes and add remarks.

Cadet-specific rules: Commanders ensure AF Form 1887 authorizes flying for USAFA/ROTC programs, but no incentive pay or OFDA credit applies.

HARM offices handle most publications. For complex cases (disqualification, waivers, or non-interference orders), coordinate through command channels with supporting documentation.

Common Scenarios Requiring AF Form 1887

  • Placing a new aircrew member on initial flying status.
  • Updating status after a permanent change of assignment (PCA).
  • Returning a member to flying after DNIF (Duties Not Including Flying) or FEB.
  • Authorizing cadet observer or training sorties.
  • Amending erroneous data on a prior order.
  • Documenting temporary flying for exercises (sometimes paired with approval letters).

Accurate and timely AOs prevent grounding, pay issues, or mission delays.

Tips for Air Force Personnel and HARM Professionals

  • Keep aeronautical orders current — They must align with physicals, training, and assignment orders.
  • File permanently in flight records as directed.
  • For separated or retired members, ensure disqualification orders are published if applicable.
  • Consult your local HARM office or CHARM for unit-specific procedures and SEI requirements.

Staying compliant with DAFMAN 11-401 and related manuals helps maintain readiness and eligibility for aviation career incentives.

Download the Official Form

Official AF Form 1887 PDF: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a3/form/af1887/af1887.pdf

For the latest guidance, review DAFMAN 11-401, AFMAN 11-402, and AFMAN 11-421 on the Air Force e-Publishing website (e-publishing.af.mil).

Note: This article provides general information based on publicly available Air Force publications. Always consult your chain of command, HARM office, or current official instructions for specific procedures, as policies can update.

If you need help understanding a particular section of the form or related aviation service processes, contact your servicing Aviation Resource Management office. Safe flying!