DA Form 5701-72: UH-72A PPC Guide & Download – U.S. Army aviators flying the UH-72A Lakota rely on precise performance calculations for every mission. The DA Form 5701-72, officially titled the UH-72A Performance Planning Card (PPC), is the standardized tool that ensures safe, legal, and efficient operations. Whether you’re training at Fort Novosel, supporting National Guard utility missions, or executing MEDEVAC, SAR, or command-and-control flights, this form is mandatory for pre-flight planning.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly what DA Form 5701-72 is, why it matters for the UH-72A Lakota, how to prepare it (per Task 1010 of the UH-72A Aircrew Training Manual), its key sections, and where to download the latest official fillable PDF.
What Is DA Form 5701-72?
DA Form 5701-72 is the U.S. Army’s dedicated Performance Planning Card for the UH-72A Lakota (a militarized version of the Airbus H145/EC145 twin-engine light utility helicopter). Released on March 1, 2016 with TRADOC as the proponent, it remains the current and authoritative form used across Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve units.
Unlike generic flight planning tools, the UH-72A PPC is aircraft-specific. It pulls data from the UH-72A Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) performance charts to compute real-time limits for:
- Hover performance (IGE/OGE)
- Takeoff and landing distances
- Cruise airspeed and fuel flow
- Maximum gross weight
- Torque available/required
- Engine performance margins
It is a 2-page fillable PDF designed for quick pencil entries on the flight line or kneeboard use.
Why the UH-72A Performance Planning Card Matters for U.S. Army Aviators?
The UH-72A Lakota serves as the Army’s primary light utility and initial entry rotary-wing trainer. With its advanced avionics, twin Arriel 1E2 engines, and reconfigurable cabin, it operates in diverse environments—from sea-level training fields to high/hot mountain operations.
Accurate performance planning is non-negotiable because:
- Safety first: Prevents exceedance of aircraft limits that could lead to loss of tail-rotor effectiveness, settling with power, or engine rollback.
- Mission success: Ensures the aircraft can meet payload, range, and endurance requirements.
- Regulatory compliance: Required by the UH-72A Aircrew Training Manual (ATM) Task 1010 for all training and evaluation flights.
Recompute triggers (per standard Army aviation practice for UH-72A PPCs):
- Free air temperature change of +5°C
- Pressure altitude change of +500 ft
- Gross weight change of +200 lbs
- Significant wind or mission profile change
How to Prepare DA Form 5701-72? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Task 1010 in the UH-72A ATM outlines the exact procedure. Here’s the practical workflow U.S. Army pilots and crews follow:
- Gather Mission & Environmental Data
- Departure, cruise, and arrival pressure altitudes (PA)
- Free air temperatures (FAT)
- Winds, density altitude, and forecast conditions
- Mission profile (hover, low-level, cruise)
- Aircraft Basic Weight & Loading
- Start with basic empty weight + crew + fuel + mission equipment
- Calculate total gross weight and center of gravity
- Calculate Performance Limits (using RFM charts or approved software)
- Maximum allowable gross weight for IGE and OGE hover
- Hover power required vs. power available
- Takeoff and landing distances
- Cruise torque, airspeed, and fuel flow
- Single-engine capability if applicable
- Apply Accuracy Standards (ATM Task 1010)
- Aircraft weight: ±50 lbs
- Fuel flow: ±50 lbs/hr
- Airspeed: ±5 knots
- Torque: ±2%
- Determine if the aircraft is capable of completing the mission with required margins.
- Record & Brief
- Enter all data on the DA Form 5701-72
- Brief the crew and PC (Pilot-in-Command)
- Validate with an in-flight hover power check
Many units now supplement the card with the Army-approved Performance Planning Application (PPA) software for faster chart lookups, but the official DA Form 5701-72 remains the required hard-copy record.
Key Sections Typically Found on the UH-72A PPC
While the exact layout is on the official form, standard blocks include:
- Mission / Flight Data (date, aircraft tail number, crew)
- Environmental Conditions (PA, FAT, wind at departure/cruise/arrival)
- Weight & Balance (basic weight, fuel, payload, total GW)
- Hover Performance (IGE/OGE max GW, power required)
- Takeoff / Landing Data
- Cruise Performance (torque, TAS, fuel flow, endurance)
- Performance Limitations & Notes
- Crew Signatures / Verification
The card also captures fuel requirements and any special mission considerations.
Benefits of Proper UH-72A Performance Planning
- Risk reduction: Identifies go/no-go conditions before engine start
- Standardization: Every UH-72A crew uses the same format
- Training value: Reinforces understanding of density altitude, power management, and aircraft capabilities
- Operational flexibility: Supports the Lakota’s wide mission set, including its role as the primary trainer at Fort Novosel (zero fatal mishaps in over 800,000 training hours)
Official Download: DA Form 5701-72 Fillable PDF
Direct official source (U.S. Army Publishing Directorate):
Download DA Form 5701-72 UH-72A Performance Planning Card (PDF)
This is the most current version. Always verify you’re using the latest form from armypubs.army.mil before flight.
Pro tip: Keep a digital copy on your device and print extras for the flight planning room. Some units also use laminated, erasable kneeboard versions for repeated use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is DA Form 5701-72 required for every UH-72A flight?
A: Yes—mandatory for all training and evaluation flights per the UH-72A ATM. Units often require it for operational missions as well.
Q: Can I use software instead of filling the card by hand?
A: Approved performance planning apps speed up calculations, but the official DA Form 5701-72 must still be completed and carried as the record.
Q: Where do I find the performance charts needed for the PPC?
A: Refer to the UH-72A Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) and the current Aircrew Training Manual (TC 3-04.21 or latest revision).
Q: Who uses DA Form 5701-72?
A: Primarily pilots (PC and PI), but also crewmembers involved in mission planning for UH-72A operations.
Q: Is there a difference between DA 5701-72 and other 5701 series forms?
A: Yes—each is aircraft-specific (e.g., UH-60 has its own). Always use the -72 version for the Lakota.
Stay Current & Mission-Ready
Performance planning isn’t just paperwork—it’s the foundation of safe UH-72A operations. Mastering DA Form 5701-72 keeps you compliant, confident, and ready for any mission the Lakota is tasked with.
Bookmark the official download link above and review Task 1010 in your unit’s ATM before your next flight. Questions about UH-72A performance? Consult your standardization officer or flight safety officer.
Safe flights and blue skies!