DAF Form 505: Airfield & Airspace Waiver Request Guide

DAF Form 505: Airfield & Airspace Waiver Request Guide – The DAF Form 505, officially titled Request for Waiver to Airfield and Airspace Criteria, is a critical Department of the Air Force (DAF) form used to request deviations from established standards for airfields and airspace. It ensures safe, standardized operations while allowing flexibility for mission needs, construction, temporary conditions, or special events like air shows.

This form supports compliance with DAFI 32-1015 (Integrated Installation Planning) and references key criteria documents, primarily the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-260-01 (Airfield and Heliport Planning and Design), along with UFC 3-260-04 and UFC 3-535-01 where applicable.

Who Needs DAF Form 505 and Why?

U.S. Air Force (USAF), U.S. Space Force (USSF), Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard personnel use DAF Form 505 when airfield or airspace elements cannot fully meet design, operational, or safety criteria. Common scenarios include:

  • Construction or temporary construction waivers (TCW): When equipment, stockpiles, or structures violate imaginary surfaces, clearances, or grading requirements during projects.
  • Permanent or temporary deviations from airfield geometry, markings, lighting, or obstacle clearance.
  • Air shows or special events that impact airspace or airfield use.
  • Amendments or extensions of existing waivers.
  • Operational needs where strict adherence would hinder mission accomplishment without compromising an acceptable level of safety.

The form documents the violation, justifies the need, assesses risk, and routes the request through proper coordination and approval channels. It helps maintain safety while supporting installation development and mission requirements.

Download the official DAF Form 505 here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/daf505/daf505.pdf

Key References and Standards

Waivers typically address criteria in:

  • UFC 3-260-01: Primary document for airfield and heliport planning, design, clear zones, imaginary surfaces, grading, separations, and frangibility.
  • Related UFCs for markings, lighting, and other airfield systems.
  • DAFI 32-1015, which prescribes the use of DAF Form 505 and outlines installation planning responsibilities.

The form requires referencing the specific table, paragraph, category, or item from the applicable UFC or standard.

How to Complete DAF Form 505? – Step-by-Step Guidance

The form has structured sections with clear instructions. Always refer to the latest Airfield Waiver Playbook (available through Air Force Civil Engineer channels) for detailed filling guidance. Digital signatures are required for key approvals.

Section I (Completed by the Installation)

  1. Waiver Number, Proponent, Installation, MAJCOM — Enter identifying information.
  2. Action Requested — Select: Extension, Amendment, Air Show, or Other.
  3. Criteria to Be Waived — Specify the exact reference (e.g., UFC 3-260-01, Table 3-7, Item 7).
  4. Description of Violation — Clearly describe the obstruction or deviation. Include impacts on airfield imaginary surfaces. Support with maps, elevations, heights, distances, and illustrations. For markings/lighting, show the proposed change.
  5. Justification of Waiver — Explain operational or mission necessity. For temporary waivers, include correction plans, fiscal year, cost estimate, and project number.
  6. Risk Assessment Summary — Provide the risk level and a brief summary. Attach AF Form 4437 (Risk Assessment Report). Include any FAA OE/AAA Part 77 Case/ASN number if applicable.
  7. Installation Coordination and Approval — Obtain digital signatures from:
    • Civil Engineer (CE)
    • Airfield Manager (AM)
    • Airfield Ops (OSA)/TERPS
    • Base Safety (SE)
    • Others as needed
    • Installation Commander approval, including the valid period.

Important Note: For construction or air show waivers, complete only items 1–6 on page 1 and do not proceed to page 2.

Section II: Coordination in Granting Waiver (MAJCOM/FLDCOM Level)

This section includes coordination from functional experts such as AFCEC (for Active Duty), AFIMSC, Logistics (A4), Operations (A3), Safety (SE), and USSF if applicable.

Section III: Waiver Approval

The authorizing official at MAJCOM/FLDCOM level signs, and any additional conditions are noted.

Routing After MAJCOM/FLDCOM Approval:

  • Active Duty: Forward to Installation/CC; Cc: relevant DET, AFCEC/CIP, Installation AM, and action officer.
  • Air National Guard: Forward to Installation BCE.

Risk Assessment and Safety Considerations

Every DAF Form 505 submission requires a risk assessment using AF Form 4437. The summary on the 505 must clearly state the risk level and key findings. This ensures deviations maintain an equivalent level of safety through mitigations like NOTAMs, procedural controls, or temporary measures.

Installation commanders and MAJCOMs evaluate operational impact, mission needs, cost of compliance, and overall risk before approval. Waivers are not automatic and typically have defined durations (temporary waivers often tie to project timelines).

  • Airfield Waiver Program: Installations must maintain an active program for reviewing and managing waivers (per DAFI 32-1015).
  • FAA Coordination: Some waivers may require FAA Part 77 (Obstructions) review or Form 7460 notifications, especially for construction affecting navigable airspace.
  • Temporary Construction Waivers (TCW): Often handled at the installation level with Base Community Planner involvement; the Installation Commander is frequently the approval authority for short-term construction impacts.
  • Annual Reviews: Many bases conduct periodic reviews of active waivers to ensure they remain necessary and properly mitigated.

Tip for Success: Provide robust supporting documentation (maps, diagrams, risk mitigations, and timelines). Incomplete packages delay processing. Coordinate early with Civil Engineer, Airfield Management, Safety, and Operations staffs.

Where to Get Help and Additional Resources?

  • Official form and e-Publishing: e-Publishing.af.mil
  • Airfield Waiver guidance: Consult your MAJCOM Civil Engineer or AFCEC channels (e.g., [email protected] for certain reviews).
  • UFC documents: Available via the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG) at wbdg.org.
  • Local supplements: Check your installation instructions (e.g., Robins AFBI 32-110 for temporary construction waiver examples).

Need the form?
Direct PDF download: DAF Form 505 PDF

Proper use of DAF Form 505 helps U.S. Air Force installations balance mission demands with safety and regulatory compliance. Always verify the latest version of the form and associated instructions on the official Air Force e-Publishing site, as policies and references (such as UFC revisions) can update.

This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force publications and forms as of 2026. For official guidance, consult your chain of command, servicing Civil Engineer Squadron, or the prescribing directive (DAFI 32-1015).