PATHFINDER HLZ ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ What are the tactical considerations for selecting the HLZ site?
Answer: The considerations that pertain to the actual mission of the
unit being moved. These considerations are the responsibility of the
Ground Unit Commander (GUC) and the Aviation Unit Commander,
and their staff and include the following:
a) Estimate of situation using METT-TC (mission, enemy and
friendly considerations, troops, terrain and weather, time available,
and civilians)
b) Location of the objective from tentative HLS
c) Size of the element being moved
◉ What are the technical considerations when selecting the HLZ?
Answer: These are the considerations that pertain to the technical
aspect of selection and operation of a day or night HLS. These are
the responsibility of the Pathfinder and are subdivided into seven
selection factors (SOSATAL):
1) Size of HLP
2) Obstacles
,3) Surface conditions
4) Approach and departure routes
5) Type of Load
6) Atmospheric conditions
7) Landing formation
◉ How will the size of the HLP (Helicopter Landing Point) be
decided?
Answer: the size of the HLP will be decided by the aviation unit
commander based on:
a) Size/Type of Aircraft
b) Pilot/Unit Proficiency
c) Whether operation will be during Day or Night
d) Atmospheric Conditions
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 1 HLP?
Answer: 25 meters ; OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH72A
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 2 HLP?
Answer: 35 meters ; UH-1N/Y and AH-1W/Z
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 3 HLP?
,Answer: 50 meters ; UH60A/L/M, SH60, AH-64
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 4 HLP?
Answer: 80 meters ; All CH A/C, to include MV/CV-22B (Osprey)
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 5 HLP?
Answer: 100 meters ; All sling load A/C during daytime, all
unknown/foreign A/C, and A/C using land-safe
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 6 HLP?
Answer: 125 meters ; All sling load A/C using long lines
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 7 HLP?
Answer: 150 meters ; All sling load A/C during nighttime and all
sling load A/C using land-safe
◉ When different aircraft are in formation, which aircraft would you
choose to make the size of the HLP's for at the HLZ?
Answer: Always pace off of the largest aircraft/largest size
◉ What are the nine standard aircraft formations?
Answer: 1) Trail
, 2) Staggered Trail Left
3) Staggered Trail Right
4) Echelon left
5) Echelon right
6) Heavy left
7) Heavy right
8) Vee
9) Diamond
◉ Which aircraft formation is the most secure?
Answer: Diamond
◉ Surface conditions at the HLS should be?
Answer: 1) Firm enough to support the weight of the aircraft
2) Free of loose sand, snow, or debris (brown-out or white-out
conditions)
*Note* Add environmental considerations for cold weather, desert,
and mountains
◉ In terms of the surface conditions, how should Pathfinders choose
the HLS?
Answer: a) Choose a hard surface: needs to support weight of A/C,
avoids excessive dust or blowing snow; must allow a fully loaded
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ What are the tactical considerations for selecting the HLZ site?
Answer: The considerations that pertain to the actual mission of the
unit being moved. These considerations are the responsibility of the
Ground Unit Commander (GUC) and the Aviation Unit Commander,
and their staff and include the following:
a) Estimate of situation using METT-TC (mission, enemy and
friendly considerations, troops, terrain and weather, time available,
and civilians)
b) Location of the objective from tentative HLS
c) Size of the element being moved
◉ What are the technical considerations when selecting the HLZ?
Answer: These are the considerations that pertain to the technical
aspect of selection and operation of a day or night HLS. These are
the responsibility of the Pathfinder and are subdivided into seven
selection factors (SOSATAL):
1) Size of HLP
2) Obstacles
,3) Surface conditions
4) Approach and departure routes
5) Type of Load
6) Atmospheric conditions
7) Landing formation
◉ How will the size of the HLP (Helicopter Landing Point) be
decided?
Answer: the size of the HLP will be decided by the aviation unit
commander based on:
a) Size/Type of Aircraft
b) Pilot/Unit Proficiency
c) Whether operation will be during Day or Night
d) Atmospheric Conditions
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 1 HLP?
Answer: 25 meters ; OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH72A
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 2 HLP?
Answer: 35 meters ; UH-1N/Y and AH-1W/Z
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 3 HLP?
,Answer: 50 meters ; UH60A/L/M, SH60, AH-64
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 4 HLP?
Answer: 80 meters ; All CH A/C, to include MV/CV-22B (Osprey)
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 5 HLP?
Answer: 100 meters ; All sling load A/C during daytime, all
unknown/foreign A/C, and A/C using land-safe
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 6 HLP?
Answer: 125 meters ; All sling load A/C using long lines
◉ What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 7 HLP?
Answer: 150 meters ; All sling load A/C during nighttime and all
sling load A/C using land-safe
◉ When different aircraft are in formation, which aircraft would you
choose to make the size of the HLP's for at the HLZ?
Answer: Always pace off of the largest aircraft/largest size
◉ What are the nine standard aircraft formations?
Answer: 1) Trail
, 2) Staggered Trail Left
3) Staggered Trail Right
4) Echelon left
5) Echelon right
6) Heavy left
7) Heavy right
8) Vee
9) Diamond
◉ Which aircraft formation is the most secure?
Answer: Diamond
◉ Surface conditions at the HLS should be?
Answer: 1) Firm enough to support the weight of the aircraft
2) Free of loose sand, snow, or debris (brown-out or white-out
conditions)
*Note* Add environmental considerations for cold weather, desert,
and mountains
◉ In terms of the surface conditions, how should Pathfinders choose
the HLS?
Answer: a) Choose a hard surface: needs to support weight of A/C,
avoids excessive dust or blowing snow; must allow a fully loaded
