Pathfinder HLZ Test Questions and
Correct Verified Answers
Reference for Pathfinder Operations
✓ FM 3-21.38
Reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations
✓ FM 3-99
HLZ Considerations
✓ Tactical and Technical
Technical selection factors
✓ Landing formations, Surface conditions, Obstacles, Approach and departure
routes, Atmospheric conditions, Type of Load
Size of HLZ factors
✓ Size/type of A/C, Pilot/unit proficiency, Day/Night Ops, Atmospheric Conditions
(Humidity, Altitude, Temperature)
TDP Size 1 Diameter and Type of A/C
✓ 25 Meters, OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH-72A
TDP Size 2 Diameter and Type of A/C
Top Mark !!!
, Top Mark Questions and Correct Verified Answers
✓ 35 meters, AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y
TDP Size 3 Diameter and Type of A/C
✓ 50 meters, UH-60, AH-64, SH-60, MH-60 (All 60 series)
TDP Size 4 Diameter and Type of A/C
✓ 80 meters, All Cargo A/C, MV/CV-22B
TDP Size 5 Diameter and Type of A/C
✓ 100 meters, all daytime SL, A/C of unknown origin, A/C using Land-Safe
Systems
TDP Size 6 Diameter and Type of A/C
✓ 125 meters, all SL using long lines
TDP size 7 Diameter and Type of A/C
✓ 150 meters, all night SL, SL A/C using Land-Safe
Landing Formations
✓ Trail, Echelon Left, Echelon Right, Heavy Right, Heavy Left, Diamond, Vee,
Staggered Trail Right, Staggered Trail Left
What Surface conditions are required?
Top Mark !!!
, Top Mark Questions and Correct Verified Answers
✓ Firm enough to support weight of A/C and free of loose sand, snow, debris (use
Alabama Heel stomp. Max of 2 inches)
Minimum characteristics of obstacle
✓ 18" high, wide or deep. Slope considered obstacle
Four R's
✓ Remove, reduce, red (mark), Radio (advise pilot)
Where should you attempt to land A/C on slope
✓ Upslope
Ground Slope Restrictions
✓ 0-7 degrees - no restrictions
✓ 7-15 degrees - skid A/C terminate at hover. wheeled A/C issued advisory and land
upslope
✓ over 15 degrees - all a/c terminate at hover
Slope formula
✓ (Difference in elevation/ horizontal distance) * 57.3
How should approaches be made?
✓ Long axis of HLZ and into the wind
Obstacle Buffer Ratio
Top Mark !!!