AF Form 3862: Flight Evaluation Worksheet (Download PDF) – The AF Form 3862, officially titled Flight Evaluation Worksheet, is a critical document in the U.S. Air Force aircrew standardization and evaluation program. It serves as the primary tool for flight examiners to document performance during flight evaluations, ensuring aircrew members meet rigorous safety, proficiency, and mission standards.
Air Force personnel, including pilots, navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters, and other aircrew positions, use this form across various Major Commands (MAJCOMs) and Mission Design Series (MDS) aircraft. It supports initial qualifications, periodic evaluations, requalifications, instructor checks, and no-notice evaluations.
What Is AF Form 3862 Used For?
The worksheet helps flight examiners objectively assess aircrew performance in real-time or simulated flight environments. Key purposes include:
- Recording grades for specific evaluation areas and sub-areas.
- Identifying critical areas that, if failed (graded “U” for Unqualified), result in an overall unqualified evaluation.
- Documenting strengths, weaknesses, trends (positive or negative), and remarks for debriefing.
- Serving as temporary documentation of the evaluation until the official AF Form 8 (Certificate of Aircrew Qualification) is completed and filed in the member’s Flight Evaluation Folder (FEF).
Units often overprint the AF Form 3862 with MDS-specific or MAJCOM-tailored evaluation criteria, adding local requirements or special interest items while preserving the core structure and shading for critical areas.
The form aligns directly with AFMAN 11-202 Volume 2, Aircrew Standardization/Evaluation Program, which governs grading systems, evaluation timing, and documentation procedures.
Key Features of the AF Form 3862
The form typically includes sections for:
- Examinee and Examiner Information: Name, rank, organization, aircraft/crew position, date of evaluation, and mission details.
- Evaluation Areas: Numbered areas covering general flight tasks (e.g., ground operations, takeoff, cruise, landing, emergency procedures) and mission-specific items. Each area has grading columns, often including Q (Qualified), Q- (Qualified with minor deviations), and U (Unqualified).
- Critical Areas: Marked with “(Critical)” in the title and shaded Q-blocks. A “U” in any critical area renders the entire evaluation unqualified. Examples often include key safety-of-flight tasks like landings, instrument procedures, or emergency handling.
- Remarks/Trends Column: Space to note performance details, CRM (Crew Resource Management), Threat and Error Management (TEM), or specific observations for later entry into systems like Patriot Excalibur (PEX) or GTIMS.
- Signatures: Flight examiner, reviewing officer (if applicable), and examinee acknowledgment.
Grading follows AFMAN 11-202V2 criteria: “Q” indicates safe, effective performance meeting standards; “U” indicates deficiencies that compromise safety, mission effectiveness, or standards. Boldface items and critical areas demand strict compliance.
Instructors receive additional scrutiny on teaching ability, student correction, and CRM observation.
How to Use and Complete AF Form 3862?
- Preparation: The Standardization/Evaluation (Stan/Eval) office or Operations Group (OGV) typically provides the overprinted version tailored to the aircraft and unit.
- During the Evaluation: Examiners use the worksheet in-flight (or in a simulator) to check off required areas. Not all areas need in-flight observation; some may be verbally evaluated or completed in a Weapon System Trainer (WST), with proper notation.
- Grading: Apply Q, Q-, or U per MDS-specific tolerances in the applicable AFMAN 11-2 (MDS) Volume 2.
- Documentation: Record detailed remarks for trends. The signed AF Form 3862 or draft AF Form 8 serves as the temporary certificate.
- Post-Evaluation: File the worksheet in the aircrew member’s Flight Evaluation Folder (FEF) immediately. Transfer data to the permanent AF Form 8 as soon as possible, then dispose of the temporary worksheet per policy.
Note: Some units integrate digital tools like PEX or GTIMS, but the AF Form 3862 remains the foundational worksheet for many evaluations.
Download the Official AF Form 3862
You can download the latest fillable PDF directly from the official Air Force e-Publishing site:
Always verify you are using the current version and the correct overprint for your MDS and MAJCOM. Check with your unit Stan/Eval section for the latest tailored worksheet.
Related Forms and Regulations
- AF Form 8 / 8A: Certificate of Aircrew Qualification — the permanent record generated after the evaluation.
- Flight Evaluation Folder (FEF): Contains the history of all qualifications, including AF Forms 8, 942 (if used), and supporting documents.
- Governing Publications: AFMAN 11-202V2 (core program) and aircraft-specific AFMAN 11-2 (MDS) Volume 2 documents, which provide detailed grading criteria and examples of completed AF Form 3862 worksheets.
Why Proper Use of AF Form 3862 Matters?
Accurate completion of the Flight Evaluation Worksheet ensures:
- Safety — Critical areas protect against unqualified performance in high-risk operations.
- Standardization — Consistent evaluation across the Air Force.
- Readiness — Commanders receive reliable validation of aircrew capabilities.
- Professional Development — Detailed remarks support targeted training and trend analysis.
For U.S. Air Force aircrew and evaluators, mastering the AF Form 3862 is essential to maintaining qualification currency and mission effectiveness.
Need the form or guidance? Visit the official Air Force e-Publishing portal or contact your unit Stan/Eval office. Always follow the most current AFMAN 11-202V2 and your MAJCOM/ MDS supplements.
This article is for informational purposes and reflects publicly available U.S. Air Force guidance as of 2026. Policies may be updated; consult official sources and your chain of command for the latest requirements.