AF Form 3521: RPA Aircrew Flight Data Document Guide

AF Form 3521: RPA Aircrew Flight Data Document Guide – The AF Form 3521, officially titled ARMS RPA Aircrew/Mission Flight Data Document, is a critical U.S. Air Force form used exclusively for documenting flight data in Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operations. It serves as the primary source document for recording individual flying time, mission details, and aircrew participation, which are then entered into the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS) and the Integrated Maintenance Data System (IMDS).

This form is essential for RPA aircrew (such as MQ-9 Reaper operators) to track flight hours accurately, validate eligibility for flight pay and incentives, maintain professional qualifications, and ensure compliance with aviation management standards. Previous editions are obsolete; the current version is dated 20201030 (October 30, 2020).

Why AF Form 3521 Matters for RPA Aircrew

RPA operations differ from traditional manned aircraft, so the Air Force uses a dedicated form instead of the standard AFTO Form 781. AF Form 3521 captures mission-specific data for ground-controlled RPA missions, including flight times, sorties, landings, and crew roles. This data directly supports:

  • Flight pay and incentive pay eligibility.
  • Aviation service codes (ASC) and operational flying duty accumulator (OFDA) tracking.
  • Qualification and currency requirements under Air Force training programs.
  • ARMS database integrity for accurate aircrew records.

Accurate completion is mandatory. Failure to provide required information (including the last four digits of the SSN) can result in loss of records, affecting qualifications and pay entitlements. The form is subject to the Privacy Act of 1974.

Governing References:

  • DAFMAN 11-401, Aviation Management (with Attachment 3 providing specific instructions for AF Form 3521).
  • AFI 11-401, Aviation Management.
  • AFMAN 11-202 Volume 1, Aircrew Training.
  • 10 U.S.C. 8012 and 44 U.S.C. 3101 (statutory authorities).

Purpose of AF Form 3521

The form documents:

  • Mission details (date, aircraft MDS/serial, departure/arrival points, times).
  • Individual aircrew flying time by role (primary, secondary, instructor, evaluator, other).
  • Flight conditions (e.g., combat, combat support).
  • Reviews and certifications by maintenance, operations, and aviation resource management (SARM/HARM) personnel.
  • Data for input into ARMS, ensuring commanders can validate duties against the flight authorization.

All flights on the same Zulu date are typically entered on a single AF Form 3521. It supports both operational missions and training events for RPA aircrew.

Key Sections and How to Complete AF Form 3521

The two-sided form includes mission data on the front and aircrew details (which may continue on the reverse).

1. Mission Data Section

  • Date (DD MMM YYYY): Use Zulu date format.
  • MDS: Example – MQ-9A (Mission Design Series for the aircraft).
  • Serial #: Aircraft tail number (YY-TTTT format).
  • Unit Charged for Flying Hours and HARM Location.
  • For each sortie (a, b, c, etc.):
    • Flight sequence, mission number, mission symbol.
    • FROM/TO (ICAO): Airport/base codes.
    • Take Off Time (Z) and Land Time (Z).
    • Total Time, landings (touch-and-go vs. full stop), and sorties.
  • Conversion table for fractional hours (e.g., minutes to tenths).
  • Grand totals for the mission.

2. Aircrew Data Section

  • Home Station, last 4 of SSN, Last Name.
  • Flight Auth Crew Position and authorized duty.
  • Flight Time breakdown: PRI (Primary), SEC (Secondary), INSTR (Instructor), EVAL (Evaluator), OTHER, and totals.
  • Flight Conditions: Combat, combat support, etc.
  • Additional fields for specific RPA elements (e.g., Ground Control Station serial number).
  • Reviews/Certifications: Maintenance review, LR/MC Ops review, SARM review, ARMS input/audit.
  • Extract Certification (if copying the form): Signed by a commissioned officer, government civilian (when PIC), or HARM Chief, certifying it as a true copy.
  • Remarks section for additional notes.

Signatures or initials can be wet ink (black/blue pen) or CAC-enabled where allowed. The flight authorization validates the duties logged on this form.

Pro Tip: Enter data promptly after the mission. Multiple aircrew members can be listed, with continuation on the reverse as needed. Always cross-reference the flight authorization for accuracy.

Who Uses AF Form 3521?

  • RPA pilots, sensor operators, and other aircrew performing inflight duties.
  • Unit schedulers, operations personnel, and maintenance teams.
  • Host Aviation Resource Management (HARM) and Squadron Aviation Resource Management (SARM) offices for ARMS entry and audits.
  • Commanders and authenticating officials who review for pay, qualification, and compliance.

Non-aircrew members generally do not log time on this form unless they qualify under specific exceptions (e.g., certain sensor operator or commander positions).

Download the Official AF Form 3521

Get the latest fillable PDF directly from the official Air Force e-Publishing site:

→ Download AF Form 3521 PDF

Always use the current version (20201030) and follow the detailed instructions in Attachment 3 of DAFMAN 11-401.

Best Practices and Common Questions

  • How does it differ from AFTO Form 781? AFTO Form 781 is for manned aircraft; AF Form 3521 is RPA-specific to accommodate ground control station operations and unique mission profiles.
  • Flight pay validation: This form, paired with the flight authorization, proves eligibility for incentive pay and tracks OFDA months.
  • ARMS Integration: Data from AF Form 3521 feeds directly into ARMS for long-term tracking of currencies, qualifications, and training.
  • Retention: Follow Air Force records disposition policies (typically managed through HARM offices).

For the most current guidance, consult your unit HARM office or the latest version of DAFMAN 11-401, as policies can receive updates via DAF Guidance Memorandums.

Stay Compliant and Mission-Ready

Proper use of AF Form 3521 ensures RPA aircrew receive accurate credit for their time, supports operational readiness, and maintains the integrity of the Air Force’s aviation resource management. Whether you’re a new RPA operator or a seasoned crew member, mastering this form is key to career progression and incentive entitlements.

If your unit has specific local procedures or supplements, check with your aviation resource manager. For questions about filling out the form, refer to the instructions in DAFMAN 11-401 Attachment 3 or contact your servicing HARM office.

Official Sources:

  • Air Force e-Publishing (e-publishing.af.mil)
  • DAFMAN 11-401, Aviation Management

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available U.S. Air Force publications as of 2026. Always verify with current official directives and your chain of command for mission-critical use.