Pathfinder Written Sling Load
PATHFINDER WRITTEN EXAM SLING LOAD OPERATIONS | COMPLETE
EXAM 2026/2027 | QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS | PASS
GUARANTEE
1. What is the primary duty of a Pathfinder team with regard to sling load
operations at a pickup zone (PZ)?
A. Provide air traffic advisory service and control ground operations in the PZ
B. Issue weather forecasts for the entire flight route
C. Perform final rigger certification on all loads
D. Fly the aircraft during the pickup
Correct Answer: A
2. Pathfinders provide air traffic advisories to aircrews, but they do NOT have the
authority of which of the following?
A. An air traffic controller
B. A hookup team member
C. A load rigger
D. A ground guide
Correct Answer: A
3. What is the maximum included (apex) angle recommended between opposing
legs of a multi-point sling set?
A. 45 degrees
B. 60 degrees
C. 180 degrees
D. 120 degrees
Correct Answer: D
4. Reducing the sling leg angle below the maximum allowable limit primarily affects
which factor?
A. The load placed on each individual sling leg increases
B. The number of required hookup personnel decreases
C. The static electricity discharge rate decreases
D. The color coding of the sling leg changes
Correct Answer: A
Page 1 of 42
, Pathfinder Written Sling Load
5. Before touching a hovering helicopter's cargo hook, the hookup man must first
do what?
A. Discharge static electricity by touching the hook with a grounding rod or the load
itself
B. Signal the pilot to shut down the engines
C. Attach the sling legs to the hook
D. Remove his gloves
Correct Answer: A
6. Approximately how much static electricity can build up on a helicopter during
hover, according to sling load doctrine?
A. Up to 500 volts
B. No measurable charge; helicopters are grounded automatically
C. Up to 500,000 volts
D. Up to 5,000 volts
Correct Answer: C
7. Which piece of personal protective equipment is required for all hookup team
members during sling load operations?
A. Chemical protective mask
B. Night vision goggles
C. Ballistic (kevlar) helmet with chin strap fastened
D. Body armor plate carrier only, no helmet
Correct Answer: C
8. What is the minimum number of personnel typically required to make up a
hookup team for a single-point load?
A. One hookup man working alone
B. Two: a hookup man and an assistant/signalman
C. Six, including a pilot liaison
D. Four: a full rigger squad
Correct Answer: B
9. Who is responsible for the technical inspection of a rigged load prior to it being
certified for movement?
A. A certified rigger
B. The pathfinder team leader
C. Any soldier present at the PZ
D. The helicopter crew chief
Correct Answer: A
Page 2 of 42
, Pathfinder Written Sling Load
10. How many separate inspections should a sling load ideally receive before it is
hooked to the aircraft?
A. Zero; visual check by the pilot is sufficient
B. One, by the rigger only
C. Five, including a post-flight inspection
D. Three: rigger inspection, supervisor/inspector inspection, and a final PZ check
Correct Answer: D
11. What document is used by the sling load inspector to verify a load meets rigging
standards?
A. A DA Form 7382 (Sling Load Inspection Record)
B. A flight manifest only
C. A DA Form 2404
D. A DD Form 1750
Correct Answer: A
12. What is the primary hazard associated with an improperly grounded static
discharge wand during hookup?
A. Loss of radio communication
B. Excess fuel consumption by the aircraft
C. Overheating of the cargo hook
D. Electrical shock to the hookup man
Correct Answer: D
13. Which type of sling set is commonly rated for loads up to 10,000 pounds?
A. The A-22 cargo bag suspension sling
B. The 2-point (bridle) nylon sling set
C. The 40,000-pound chain sling set
D. The endless-loop tow strap
Correct Answer: B
14. The 4-point sling set is generally used for which type of load configuration?
A. Personnel transport only
B. Loads requiring greater stability, such as vehicles or bulky cargo
C. Fuel blivets exclusively
D. Single small ammunition containers only
Correct Answer: B
15. What is the standard rated capacity of the large clevis commonly used in Army
sling load rigging?
A. 25,000 pounds
Page 3 of 42
, Pathfinder Written Sling Load
B. 2,500 pounds
C. 250,000 pounds
D. 1,000 pounds
Correct Answer: A
16. Chain link sling straps are most commonly used to rig which type of load?
A. Wheeled and tracked vehicles
B. Personnel litters
C. Ammunition boxes
D. Water cans (blivets)
Correct Answer: A
17. What is the primary purpose of a spreader bar in a sling load configuration?
A. To act as a lightning rod
B. To keep sling legs from contacting or damaging the load during flight
C. To replace the need for a cargo net
D. To increase the total lift capacity of the aircraft
Correct Answer: B
18. An A-22 cargo bag is generally rated to carry loads up to approximately what
weight?
A. 500 pounds
B. 2,200 pounds
C. 10,000 pounds
D. 50,000 pounds
Correct Answer: B
19. Cargo nets used in sling load operations are typically rigged around which type
of load?
A. Only personnel
B. Loose or bulk supplies such as ammunition boxes or rations
C. Only fuel blivets
D. Only wheeled vehicles
Correct Answer: B
20. What is the primary reason sling load legs must be free of twists before
hookup?
A. Twists are required for proper color coding
B. Twists improve aerodynamic stability
C. Twisted legs reduce the rated strength of the sling and can fail under load
D. Twists make the load lighter
Page 4 of 42
PATHFINDER WRITTEN EXAM SLING LOAD OPERATIONS | COMPLETE
EXAM 2026/2027 | QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS | PASS
GUARANTEE
1. What is the primary duty of a Pathfinder team with regard to sling load
operations at a pickup zone (PZ)?
A. Provide air traffic advisory service and control ground operations in the PZ
B. Issue weather forecasts for the entire flight route
C. Perform final rigger certification on all loads
D. Fly the aircraft during the pickup
Correct Answer: A
2. Pathfinders provide air traffic advisories to aircrews, but they do NOT have the
authority of which of the following?
A. An air traffic controller
B. A hookup team member
C. A load rigger
D. A ground guide
Correct Answer: A
3. What is the maximum included (apex) angle recommended between opposing
legs of a multi-point sling set?
A. 45 degrees
B. 60 degrees
C. 180 degrees
D. 120 degrees
Correct Answer: D
4. Reducing the sling leg angle below the maximum allowable limit primarily affects
which factor?
A. The load placed on each individual sling leg increases
B. The number of required hookup personnel decreases
C. The static electricity discharge rate decreases
D. The color coding of the sling leg changes
Correct Answer: A
Page 1 of 42
, Pathfinder Written Sling Load
5. Before touching a hovering helicopter's cargo hook, the hookup man must first
do what?
A. Discharge static electricity by touching the hook with a grounding rod or the load
itself
B. Signal the pilot to shut down the engines
C. Attach the sling legs to the hook
D. Remove his gloves
Correct Answer: A
6. Approximately how much static electricity can build up on a helicopter during
hover, according to sling load doctrine?
A. Up to 500 volts
B. No measurable charge; helicopters are grounded automatically
C. Up to 500,000 volts
D. Up to 5,000 volts
Correct Answer: C
7. Which piece of personal protective equipment is required for all hookup team
members during sling load operations?
A. Chemical protective mask
B. Night vision goggles
C. Ballistic (kevlar) helmet with chin strap fastened
D. Body armor plate carrier only, no helmet
Correct Answer: C
8. What is the minimum number of personnel typically required to make up a
hookup team for a single-point load?
A. One hookup man working alone
B. Two: a hookup man and an assistant/signalman
C. Six, including a pilot liaison
D. Four: a full rigger squad
Correct Answer: B
9. Who is responsible for the technical inspection of a rigged load prior to it being
certified for movement?
A. A certified rigger
B. The pathfinder team leader
C. Any soldier present at the PZ
D. The helicopter crew chief
Correct Answer: A
Page 2 of 42
, Pathfinder Written Sling Load
10. How many separate inspections should a sling load ideally receive before it is
hooked to the aircraft?
A. Zero; visual check by the pilot is sufficient
B. One, by the rigger only
C. Five, including a post-flight inspection
D. Three: rigger inspection, supervisor/inspector inspection, and a final PZ check
Correct Answer: D
11. What document is used by the sling load inspector to verify a load meets rigging
standards?
A. A DA Form 7382 (Sling Load Inspection Record)
B. A flight manifest only
C. A DA Form 2404
D. A DD Form 1750
Correct Answer: A
12. What is the primary hazard associated with an improperly grounded static
discharge wand during hookup?
A. Loss of radio communication
B. Excess fuel consumption by the aircraft
C. Overheating of the cargo hook
D. Electrical shock to the hookup man
Correct Answer: D
13. Which type of sling set is commonly rated for loads up to 10,000 pounds?
A. The A-22 cargo bag suspension sling
B. The 2-point (bridle) nylon sling set
C. The 40,000-pound chain sling set
D. The endless-loop tow strap
Correct Answer: B
14. The 4-point sling set is generally used for which type of load configuration?
A. Personnel transport only
B. Loads requiring greater stability, such as vehicles or bulky cargo
C. Fuel blivets exclusively
D. Single small ammunition containers only
Correct Answer: B
15. What is the standard rated capacity of the large clevis commonly used in Army
sling load rigging?
A. 25,000 pounds
Page 3 of 42
, Pathfinder Written Sling Load
B. 2,500 pounds
C. 250,000 pounds
D. 1,000 pounds
Correct Answer: A
16. Chain link sling straps are most commonly used to rig which type of load?
A. Wheeled and tracked vehicles
B. Personnel litters
C. Ammunition boxes
D. Water cans (blivets)
Correct Answer: A
17. What is the primary purpose of a spreader bar in a sling load configuration?
A. To act as a lightning rod
B. To keep sling legs from contacting or damaging the load during flight
C. To replace the need for a cargo net
D. To increase the total lift capacity of the aircraft
Correct Answer: B
18. An A-22 cargo bag is generally rated to carry loads up to approximately what
weight?
A. 500 pounds
B. 2,200 pounds
C. 10,000 pounds
D. 50,000 pounds
Correct Answer: B
19. Cargo nets used in sling load operations are typically rigged around which type
of load?
A. Only personnel
B. Loose or bulk supplies such as ammunition boxes or rations
C. Only fuel blivets
D. Only wheeled vehicles
Correct Answer: B
20. What is the primary reason sling load legs must be free of twists before
hookup?
A. Twists are required for proper color coding
B. Twists improve aerodynamic stability
C. Twisted legs reduce the rated strength of the sling and can fail under load
D. Twists make the load lighter
Page 4 of 42
