PATHFINDER HLZ (HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE)
EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
200 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the
U.S. Army Pathfinder School or any other organization. It is provided for educational and self-assessment
purposes only and is not a substitute for official military training, FM references, or professional guidance.
Doctrine is subject to change; always consult current FM 3-21.38, FM 3-99, and applicable references.
, Section 1: Pathfinder Operations Fundamentals – Roles, References (FM
3-21.38, FM 3-99), Employment (30 questions)
Q1: Which of the following is the reference for Pathfinder Operations?
A. FM 3-99
B. FM 3-21.8
C. FM 4-01.45
D. FM 3-21.38 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: FM 3-21.38 is the Pathfinder Operations reference. FM 3-99 is Airborne and Air Assault
Operations. The others are incorrect.
Q2: Which of the following is the reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations?
A. FM 3-21.38
B. FM 3-21.8
C. FM 3-99 [CORRECT]
D. FM 4-01.45
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FM 3-99 covers Airborne and Air Assault Operations. The others are incorrect.
Q3: What does 'HLZ' stand for?
A. Helicopter Landing Zone [CORRECT]
B. Helicopter Landing Area
C. High Landing Zone
D. Helicopter Load Zone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: HLZ is Helicopter Landing Zone. The others are incorrect.
Q4: Which of the following is TRUE about a Pathfinder's role?
A. The Pathfinder flies aircraft
B. The Pathfinder establishes, marks, and controls landing zones [CORRECT]
C. The Pathfinder loads only
D. The Pathfinder is not involved
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Pathfinder establishes, marks, and controls landing zones. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is TRUE about Pathfinder Air Traffic Procedures?
A. They are optional
B. They promote the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic around a tactical site [CORRECT]
C. They only apply to cargo
D. They are not used
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathfinder Air Traffic Procedures promote safe and expeditious air traffic flow. The others are
incorrect.
Pathfinder HLZ Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which of the following is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures?
A. Delay traffic
B. Prevent collisions [CORRECT]
C. Ignore aircraft
D. Only guide cargo
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preventing collisions is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures. The others are
not.
Q7: Which of the following is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures?
A. Delay traffic
B. Expedite traffic [CORRECT]
C. Avoid aircraft
D. Only guide cargo
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expediting traffic is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures. The others are not.
Q8: Which of the following is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures?
A. Withhold information
B. Delay aircraft
C. Ignore pilots
D. Provide flight information [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Providing flight information is a purpose. The others are not.
Q9: Which of the following is the lowest level with sufficient personnel to execute an Air Assault Operation?
A. Platoon level
B. Squad level
C. Battalion level
D. Company level [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Company level is the lowest level with sufficient personnel to execute an air assault operation.
The others are incorrect.
Q10: Which of the following is TRUE about Pathfinder employment?
A. Pathfinders are not employed
B. Pathfinders are employed to establish and control LZs [CORRECT]
C. They only observe
D. They only communicate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathfinders are employed to establish and control LZs. The others are incorrect.
Pathfinder HLZ Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which of the following is TRUE about the Pathfinder team?
A. It is a specialized element that supports air assault and air movement [CORRECT]
B. It is a standard rifle squad
C. It does not exist
D. It only handles cargo
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pathfinder team is a specialized element supporting air assault and air movement. The
others are incorrect.
Q12: Which of the following is TRUE about the Pathfinder's air traffic control duties?
A. The Pathfinder controls aircraft in and around the LZ [CORRECT]
B. The Pathfinder does not control traffic
C. Only the pilot controls
D. Traffic is uncontrolled
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pathfinder controls aircraft in and around the LZ. The others are incorrect.
Q13: Which of the following is TRUE about the reference for Pathfinder operations?
A. FM 3-99 is the Pathfinder reference
B. There is no reference
C. FM 3-21.38 provides guidance for Pathfinder operations [CORRECT]
D. Only the pilot manual applies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FM 3-21.38 provides guidance for Pathfinder operations. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about air assault operations?
A. Pathfinders are not involved
B. Only the infantry lands
C. They are supported by Pathfinders at the LZ [CORRECT]
D. No support is needed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Air assault operations are supported by Pathfinders at the LZ. The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about the Pathfinder's site duties?
A. The Pathfinder selects, marks, and controls the site [CORRECT]
B. The Pathfinder only observes
C. The site is unmarked
D. Only the pilot selects the site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pathfinder selects, marks, and controls the site. The others are incorrect.
Pathfinder HLZ Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
200 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the
U.S. Army Pathfinder School or any other organization. It is provided for educational and self-assessment
purposes only and is not a substitute for official military training, FM references, or professional guidance.
Doctrine is subject to change; always consult current FM 3-21.38, FM 3-99, and applicable references.
, Section 1: Pathfinder Operations Fundamentals – Roles, References (FM
3-21.38, FM 3-99), Employment (30 questions)
Q1: Which of the following is the reference for Pathfinder Operations?
A. FM 3-99
B. FM 3-21.8
C. FM 4-01.45
D. FM 3-21.38 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: FM 3-21.38 is the Pathfinder Operations reference. FM 3-99 is Airborne and Air Assault
Operations. The others are incorrect.
Q2: Which of the following is the reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations?
A. FM 3-21.38
B. FM 3-21.8
C. FM 3-99 [CORRECT]
D. FM 4-01.45
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FM 3-99 covers Airborne and Air Assault Operations. The others are incorrect.
Q3: What does 'HLZ' stand for?
A. Helicopter Landing Zone [CORRECT]
B. Helicopter Landing Area
C. High Landing Zone
D. Helicopter Load Zone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: HLZ is Helicopter Landing Zone. The others are incorrect.
Q4: Which of the following is TRUE about a Pathfinder's role?
A. The Pathfinder flies aircraft
B. The Pathfinder establishes, marks, and controls landing zones [CORRECT]
C. The Pathfinder loads only
D. The Pathfinder is not involved
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Pathfinder establishes, marks, and controls landing zones. The others are incorrect.
Q5: Which of the following is TRUE about Pathfinder Air Traffic Procedures?
A. They are optional
B. They promote the safe and expeditious flow of air traffic around a tactical site [CORRECT]
C. They only apply to cargo
D. They are not used
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathfinder Air Traffic Procedures promote safe and expeditious air traffic flow. The others are
incorrect.
Pathfinder HLZ Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which of the following is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures?
A. Delay traffic
B. Prevent collisions [CORRECT]
C. Ignore aircraft
D. Only guide cargo
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preventing collisions is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures. The others are
not.
Q7: Which of the following is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures?
A. Delay traffic
B. Expedite traffic [CORRECT]
C. Avoid aircraft
D. Only guide cargo
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expediting traffic is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures. The others are not.
Q8: Which of the following is a purpose of Pathfinder Air Traffic Control Procedures?
A. Withhold information
B. Delay aircraft
C. Ignore pilots
D. Provide flight information [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Providing flight information is a purpose. The others are not.
Q9: Which of the following is the lowest level with sufficient personnel to execute an Air Assault Operation?
A. Platoon level
B. Squad level
C. Battalion level
D. Company level [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Company level is the lowest level with sufficient personnel to execute an air assault operation.
The others are incorrect.
Q10: Which of the following is TRUE about Pathfinder employment?
A. Pathfinders are not employed
B. Pathfinders are employed to establish and control LZs [CORRECT]
C. They only observe
D. They only communicate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pathfinders are employed to establish and control LZs. The others are incorrect.
Pathfinder HLZ Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which of the following is TRUE about the Pathfinder team?
A. It is a specialized element that supports air assault and air movement [CORRECT]
B. It is a standard rifle squad
C. It does not exist
D. It only handles cargo
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pathfinder team is a specialized element supporting air assault and air movement. The
others are incorrect.
Q12: Which of the following is TRUE about the Pathfinder's air traffic control duties?
A. The Pathfinder controls aircraft in and around the LZ [CORRECT]
B. The Pathfinder does not control traffic
C. Only the pilot controls
D. Traffic is uncontrolled
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pathfinder controls aircraft in and around the LZ. The others are incorrect.
Q13: Which of the following is TRUE about the reference for Pathfinder operations?
A. FM 3-99 is the Pathfinder reference
B. There is no reference
C. FM 3-21.38 provides guidance for Pathfinder operations [CORRECT]
D. Only the pilot manual applies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FM 3-21.38 provides guidance for Pathfinder operations. The others are incorrect.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about air assault operations?
A. Pathfinders are not involved
B. Only the infantry lands
C. They are supported by Pathfinders at the LZ [CORRECT]
D. No support is needed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Air assault operations are supported by Pathfinders at the LZ. The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about the Pathfinder's site duties?
A. The Pathfinder selects, marks, and controls the site [CORRECT]
B. The Pathfinder only observes
C. The site is unmarked
D. Only the pilot selects the site
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pathfinder selects, marks, and controls the site. The others are incorrect.
Pathfinder HLZ Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
