DA Form 3502: Daily ATC Facility Report Guide & PDF – U.S. Army air traffic control (ATC) professionals rely on DA Form 3502 as a critical daily operational document. It ensures accurate logging of facility activities, equipment status, weather, and any abnormalities for safety, compliance, and accountability.
Download the latest DA Form 3502 here: Official PDF
What Is DA Form 3502?
DA Form 3502, titled Daily Report of Air Traffic Control Facility, is an official U.S. Army form used by ATC facilities to document daily operations. The proponent agency is TRADOC, and it is referenced in key publications such as FM 3-04.303 (now superseded by TC 3-04.81).
This form serves as a comprehensive shift and daily summary. It captures the period covered, facility details, remarks on operations, equipment checks, weather observations, and certifications by shift leaders and the facility chief.
Key purposes include:
- Recording scheduled and unscheduled operations.
- Documenting equipment status and checks.
- Logging abnormal occurrences or conditions.
- Providing a handover tool for incoming shifts.
- Supporting regulatory compliance and post-incident reviews.
Who Uses DA Form 3502?
Active Army, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, DA civilians, and contract personnel in Army ATC facilities (towers, radar approach control, etc.) use this form. Facility chiefs, shift leaders, and controllers complete and review it daily.
It pairs with related forms like DA Form 3501 (Radar Log) and DA Form 3503 (Air Traffic Control Position Log) for full operational documentation.
Key Sections and Fields on DA Form 3502
The form includes structured fields for clarity and standardization:
- Period Covered (UTC): From/To dates and hours.
- Location and Type of Facility.
- Chief’s Signature.
- Remarks section: This is the primary narrative area for equipment checks, weather, traffic, outages, abnormal events, and other notes.
- Shift Leader Signatures: Multiple slots for different shifts or positions.
- Certification statement confirming accuracy and that all scheduled operations were accomplished (except as noted).
An equipment checklist may appear on the back or as a local attachment.
How to Fill Out DA Form 3502 (Step-by-Step)?
- Enter the period covered in UTC, including from/to dates and hours.
- Fill in location and type of facility.
- Record detailed remarks, including:
- Equipment checks and status (radio, navigation aids, etc.).
- Weather observations.
- Any outages, incidents, or abnormalities.
- Scheduled maintenance or operations completed.
- Shift leaders sign in the designated blocks.
- The facility chief reviews and signs.
All entries must be accurate. Use UTC times for standardization. Supervisors ensure equipment checks occur and results are recorded promptly.
Tip: Incoming controllers review the previous DA Form 3502 during position relief briefing, along with other operational data.
Importance in Army ATC Operations
DA Form 3502 supports safety and standardization in Army aviation. It creates an auditable trail for:
- Shift handovers.
- Regulatory oversight (aligned with FAA standards where applicable and AR 95-2).
- Incident investigations.
- Training and proficiency tracking.
Proper use helps maintain operational readiness and mitigates risks in high-stakes ATC environments.
Where to Download the Latest DA Form 3502?
Always use the official source for the most current version:
→ Download DA Form 3502 PDF: https://armypubs.army.mil/pub/eforms/DR_a/pdf/ARN19503_A3502_FINAL.pdf
Fillable versions are available through Army Publishing Directorate (armypubs.army.mil) or authorized military portals.
Best Practices and Compliance
- Complete the form in a timely manner at the end of each shift or daily period.
- Be detailed but concise in the remarks section.
- Retain records according to Army retention policies.
- Integrate with facility standing operating procedures (SOPs) and TC 3-04.81 guidance.
- Train all personnel on proper completion during initial qualification and recurring training.
For full procedural details, refer to the latest edition of TC 3-04.81 Air Traffic Control Facility Operations, Training, Maintenance, and Standardization.
This guide is for informational purposes and based on publicly available U.S. Army resources. Always consult current official publications and your local ATC chief for unit-specific requirements.