DD Form 2130-4 C-160 Load Plan Guide & Download

DD Form 2130-4 C-160 Load Plan Guide & Download – DD Form 2130-4, titled “C-160 Load Plan,” is the standardized Department of Defense form used to document and plan the loading of cargo, equipment, and personnel onto the Transall C-160 aircraft. Issued by the Executive Services Directorate (Washington Headquarters Services), the current edition is dated September 1998.

This form remains part of the broader DD Form 2130 series referenced in the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) Part III – Mobility. U.S. military units, mobility officers, load planners, and joint force personnel use it when operating with or supporting C-160 aircraft, particularly in coalition, NATO, or partner-nation airlift scenarios.

What Is the C-160 Aircraft?

The Transall C-160 is a twin-turboprop military transport aircraft developed jointly by France and Germany. It serves tactical airlift roles and can carry approximately 16,000 kg (35,274 lb) of cargo, up to 93 troops, 61–88 paratroopers, or 62 stretchers. Its rear-loading ramp and rugged design make it suitable for austere airfields. Although not a primary U.S. Air Force aircraft, U.S. forces encounter the C-160 during combined exercises, contingency operations, and multinational deployments. Accurate load planning ensures compliance with aircraft structural limits, weight-and-balance requirements, and safety standards.

Purpose of DD Form 2130-4

The form provides a standardized method to:

  • Record unit identification, movement type, and aircraft load sequence.
  • Diagram cargo and passenger placement using a scale drawing (typically ¼ inch = 3 feet).
  • Calculate and document gross weights, fuselage stations, and moments for center-of-gravity control.
  • Capture passenger-seat planning data and any special handling requirements.
  • Support certification by qualified load planners and joint inspection processes.

Proper completion of DD Form 2130-4 helps prevent overloaded or unbalanced configurations that could compromise flight safety or mission success. It also facilitates coordination between deploying units, Departure Airfield Control Groups (DACG), Tanker Airlift Control Elements (TALCE), and aircrew.

Key Sections of the Form

According to the official two-page form, major blocks include:

  • Unit Being Airlifted (name or number) and Unit Identification Code
  • Type Movement Plan, Movement Date, and Unit Aircraft Load Number
  • Transportation Control Number and organization of the load planner
  • Actual Load Data (gross weight in pounds, fuselage station, moment in thousands)
  • Passenger Seats Planning Data (number of seats and average weight)
  • Diagram area for positioning vehicles, pallets, rolling stock, and personnel
  • Certification and remarks blocks

A continuation form (DD Form 2130C) may be used when additional space is required.

How U.S. Personnel Use the Form?

Under DTR Part III procedures, deploying units prepare the load plan. Mobility forces assist with validation. Key steps typically include:

  1. Identify all cargo, equipment, and personnel destined for a specific aircraft chalk.
  2. Weigh, measure, and mark items; compute moments using aircraft-specific data.
  3. Position loads on the scale diagram to stay within allowable cabin load, floor pressure, and center-of-gravity limits.
  4. Sequence items for rapid on-load and off-load while applying spread-loading principles when tactically required.
  5. Complete hazardous-materials certifications as needed and obtain required signatures.
  6. Distribute copies to the loadmaster, mobility force, and arrival airfield elements.

Joint inspection checklists (such as DD Form 2133) are normally used in conjunction with the load plan to verify accuracy before aircraft departure.

Official Download

The official, fillable PDF of DD Form 2130-4 is available directly from the Department of Defense forms repository:

Download DD Form 2130-4 – C-160 Load Plan (PDF)

Always download from the official ESD/WHS site to ensure you have the authentic version. Third-party sites may host outdated or altered copies.

Related Aircraft Load Plan Forms

The DD Form 2130 series covers multiple airframes commonly used by U.S. and partner forces. Current or recently updated companion forms include:

  • DD Form 2130-1 – C-5 Load Plan
  • DD Form 2130-2 – C-130 E/H/J Load Plan
  • DD Form 2130-13 – C-17 Load Plan
  • DD Form 2130-14 – KC-135 Load Plan
  • DD Form 2130C – Aircraft Load Plan Continuation

These forms, along with planning data published in DTR Part III appendices, provide the standardized documentation suite for DoD air mobility operations.

Best Practices for U.S. Mobility Planners

  • Use only official DoD planning factors and current aircraft technical data.
  • Coordinate early with the supporting air mobility element to confirm configuration (pallet positions, roller conveyors, troop seats, etc.).
  • Maintain accurate weight-and-balance records; moments are typically expressed in thousands of pound-inches.
  • Train load teams on C-160-specific restraints, shoring, and ramp limitations when the aircraft will be used.
  • Retain completed load plans as part of the mission documentation package.

DD Form 2130-4 remains the official DoD instrument for planning loads on the C-160 Transall. Whether supporting a joint exercise, contingency response, or coalition airlift mission, accurate completion of this form protects aircrew, maximizes aircraft utilization, and ensures mission success. Download the current official PDF from the Executive Services Directorate link above and follow the procedures outlined in the latest Defense Transportation Regulation Part III for complete guidance.

For additional forms and mobility regulations, visit the official sources: