PATHFINDER HLZ TEST EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
Reference for Pathfinder Operations - ANS FM 3-21.38
Reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations - ANS FM 3-99
HLZ Considerations - ANS Tactical and Technical
Technical selection factors - ANS Landing formations, Surface conditions, Obstacles, Approach
and departure routes, Atmospheric conditions, Type of Load
Size of HLZ factors - ANS 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 - ANS 25 Meters, OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH-72A
TDP Size 2 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 35 meters, AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,TDP Size 3 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 50 meters, UH-60, AH-64, SH-60, MH-60 (All 60
series)
TDP Size 4 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 80 meters, All Cargo A/C, MV/CV-22B
TDP Size 5 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 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 - ANS 125 meters, all SL using long lines
TDP size 7 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 150 meters, all night SL, SL A/C using Land-Safe
Landing Formations - ANS Trail, Echelon Left, Echelon Right, Heavy Right, Heavy Left,
Diamond, Vee, Staggered Trail Right, Staggered Trail Left
What Surface conditions are required? - ANS 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 - ANS 18" high, wide or deep. Slope considered obstacle
Four R's - ANS Remove, reduce, red (mark), Radio (advise pilot)
Where should you attempt to land A/C on slope - ANS Upslope
Ground Slope Restrictions - ANS 0-7 degrees - no restrictions
7-15 degrees - skid A/C terminate at hover. wheeled A/C issued advisory and land upslope
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, over 15 degrees - all a/c terminate at hover
Slope formula - ANS (Difference in elevation/ horizontal distance) * 57.3
How should approaches be made? - ANS Long axis of HLZ and into the wind
Obstacle Buffer Ratio - ANS 10:1 or 100 meters max
5:1 or 50 meters if you may reduce
Wind max - ANS 0-9 knots cross wind
0-5 knots tail wind
departure heading varying maximum - ANS 45 degrees
Atmospheric Conditions - ANS Humidity, Altitude above sea level, temperature
Type of load - ANS Internal, External, Personnel, Equipment
Types of markings of Night OPs - ANS Inverted Y and NATO T
When is 5th light used on Inverted Y? - ANS All Cargo A/C
How many lights needed and when is NATO T used? - ANS 5 lights. When coordinated for or
flying above 500 feet AGL
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
Reference for Pathfinder Operations - ANS FM 3-21.38
Reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations - ANS FM 3-99
HLZ Considerations - ANS Tactical and Technical
Technical selection factors - ANS Landing formations, Surface conditions, Obstacles, Approach
and departure routes, Atmospheric conditions, Type of Load
Size of HLZ factors - ANS 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 - ANS 25 Meters, OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH-72A
TDP Size 2 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 35 meters, AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,TDP Size 3 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 50 meters, UH-60, AH-64, SH-60, MH-60 (All 60
series)
TDP Size 4 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 80 meters, All Cargo A/C, MV/CV-22B
TDP Size 5 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 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 - ANS 125 meters, all SL using long lines
TDP size 7 Diameter and Type of A/C - ANS 150 meters, all night SL, SL A/C using Land-Safe
Landing Formations - ANS Trail, Echelon Left, Echelon Right, Heavy Right, Heavy Left,
Diamond, Vee, Staggered Trail Right, Staggered Trail Left
What Surface conditions are required? - ANS 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 - ANS 18" high, wide or deep. Slope considered obstacle
Four R's - ANS Remove, reduce, red (mark), Radio (advise pilot)
Where should you attempt to land A/C on slope - ANS Upslope
Ground Slope Restrictions - ANS 0-7 degrees - no restrictions
7-15 degrees - skid A/C terminate at hover. wheeled A/C issued advisory and land upslope
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, over 15 degrees - all a/c terminate at hover
Slope formula - ANS (Difference in elevation/ horizontal distance) * 57.3
How should approaches be made? - ANS Long axis of HLZ and into the wind
Obstacle Buffer Ratio - ANS 10:1 or 100 meters max
5:1 or 50 meters if you may reduce
Wind max - ANS 0-9 knots cross wind
0-5 knots tail wind
departure heading varying maximum - ANS 45 degrees
Atmospheric Conditions - ANS Humidity, Altitude above sea level, temperature
Type of load - ANS Internal, External, Personnel, Equipment
Types of markings of Night OPs - ANS Inverted Y and NATO T
When is 5th light used on Inverted Y? - ANS All Cargo A/C
How many lights needed and when is NATO T used? - ANS 5 lights. When coordinated for or
flying above 500 feet AGL
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
