PATHFINDER WRITTEN SLING COMPILED
ITEMS & TEST BLUEPRINT READY FOR
EXAM 2026.
⫸ Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Basic Operations and
Equipment (Reference). Answer: TM 4-48.09
⫸ TM 4-48.10. Answer: Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Single
Point Rigging Procedures
⫸ Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Single Point Rigging
Procedures (Reference). Answer: TM 4-48.10
⫸ TM 4-48.11. Answer: Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Dual
Point Rigging Procedures
⫸ Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Dual Point Rigging
Procedures (Reference). Answer: TM 4-48.11
⫸ FM 3-21.38. Answer: Pathfinder Operations
⫸ Pathfinder Operations (Reference). Answer: FM 3-21.38
⫸ FM 4-20.102. Answer: Airdrop of Supplies and Equipment:
Rigging Airdrop Platforms
,⫸ Airdrop of Supplies and Equipment: Rigging Airdrop Platforms
(Reference). Answer: FM 4-20.102
⫸ Three elements involved in sling load operations.. Answer: -
Supported Unit (unit whose equipment will be moved)
- Supporting Unit (the aviation unit that will fly the loads)
- Receiving Unit (normally an internal element of the supported unit)
OPTIONAL: Pathfinder Unit (subject matter expert in all aspects of
sling load operations--separate, organic unit)
⫸ Responsibilities of Supported Unit. Answer: - Selecting,
preparing, and controlling the pick-up site to include communications
- Advance coordination with the supporting unit NLT 24 hr prior to
the mission
- Actual rigging of the loads
- Provides trained ground crews to guide aircraft and hook up the load
- Furnishing slings, straps, clevises, and any other slip load equipment
required
- Assuring that the loads are properly rigged and do not exceed ACL
of A/C
⫸ Responsibilities of the Supporting Unit. Answer: - Ensure that the
loads fall within the transporting aircraft's ACL
,- Provides assistance in the recovery and return of sling-load
equipment
- Advises the supported unit on load limitations
- Advise the supported and receiving units on the suitability of
selected LZ/PZ's
- Establish coordination with the supported and receiving units
⫸ Responsibilities of the Receiving Unit. Answer: - Selecting,
preparing, and controlling the landing site to include communications
- Receiving and de-rigging the load
- Ensure proper supervision of the de-rigging
- Provide the return of lifting equipment and/or personnel
⫸ Responsibilities of the Pathfinder Unit. Answer: - Provide advice
and aid to the supported, aviation, and receiving units
- Provide expertise in the planning and execution of both PZ and HLZ
operations
- Supervise the rigging and inspection of all the loads
- Provide ground guidance and air traffic control during the sling load
- Ensure that the loads fall under the transporting aircraft's ACL
⫸ Types of Loads. Answer: - High Density
- Low Density
- Aerodynamic
, ⫸ Unique Characteristic of High Density Loads. Answer: Offers best
stability
(ex. HMMWV)
⫸ Unique Characteristic of Low Density Loads. Answer: Offers least
stability
(ex. A22 Cargo Bag)
⫸ Unique Characteristic of Aerodynamic Loads. Answer: Unstable
until the load is streamlined, then it becomes stable
(ex. Downed Aircraft)
⫸ Maximum External Load capabilities.... Answer: will vary due to
environmental conditions and helicopter performance.
⫸ What does ACL mean, what is it, and what is it based on?.
Answer: Allowable Cargo Load - the maximum load capacity for a
particular mission and determines what the helicopter can lift.
Based on type of aircraft, age of airframe, pilot experience, altitude
above sea level, temperature, humidity, and aviation unit's SOP.
⫸ APEX Requirements for UH-1 Iroquois. Answer: A nylon point of
attachment, like 3 ft apex ring or basket hitch, must be used to attach
load to aircraft. In addition, 11k cargo hook reach pendant or a
polyester round sling can be used as the point of attachment to the
A/C to a UH-1 series aircraft.
ITEMS & TEST BLUEPRINT READY FOR
EXAM 2026.
⫸ Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Basic Operations and
Equipment (Reference). Answer: TM 4-48.09
⫸ TM 4-48.10. Answer: Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Single
Point Rigging Procedures
⫸ Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Single Point Rigging
Procedures (Reference). Answer: TM 4-48.10
⫸ TM 4-48.11. Answer: Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Dual
Point Rigging Procedures
⫸ Multiservice Helicopter Sling Loads: Dual Point Rigging
Procedures (Reference). Answer: TM 4-48.11
⫸ FM 3-21.38. Answer: Pathfinder Operations
⫸ Pathfinder Operations (Reference). Answer: FM 3-21.38
⫸ FM 4-20.102. Answer: Airdrop of Supplies and Equipment:
Rigging Airdrop Platforms
,⫸ Airdrop of Supplies and Equipment: Rigging Airdrop Platforms
(Reference). Answer: FM 4-20.102
⫸ Three elements involved in sling load operations.. Answer: -
Supported Unit (unit whose equipment will be moved)
- Supporting Unit (the aviation unit that will fly the loads)
- Receiving Unit (normally an internal element of the supported unit)
OPTIONAL: Pathfinder Unit (subject matter expert in all aspects of
sling load operations--separate, organic unit)
⫸ Responsibilities of Supported Unit. Answer: - Selecting,
preparing, and controlling the pick-up site to include communications
- Advance coordination with the supporting unit NLT 24 hr prior to
the mission
- Actual rigging of the loads
- Provides trained ground crews to guide aircraft and hook up the load
- Furnishing slings, straps, clevises, and any other slip load equipment
required
- Assuring that the loads are properly rigged and do not exceed ACL
of A/C
⫸ Responsibilities of the Supporting Unit. Answer: - Ensure that the
loads fall within the transporting aircraft's ACL
,- Provides assistance in the recovery and return of sling-load
equipment
- Advises the supported unit on load limitations
- Advise the supported and receiving units on the suitability of
selected LZ/PZ's
- Establish coordination with the supported and receiving units
⫸ Responsibilities of the Receiving Unit. Answer: - Selecting,
preparing, and controlling the landing site to include communications
- Receiving and de-rigging the load
- Ensure proper supervision of the de-rigging
- Provide the return of lifting equipment and/or personnel
⫸ Responsibilities of the Pathfinder Unit. Answer: - Provide advice
and aid to the supported, aviation, and receiving units
- Provide expertise in the planning and execution of both PZ and HLZ
operations
- Supervise the rigging and inspection of all the loads
- Provide ground guidance and air traffic control during the sling load
- Ensure that the loads fall under the transporting aircraft's ACL
⫸ Types of Loads. Answer: - High Density
- Low Density
- Aerodynamic
, ⫸ Unique Characteristic of High Density Loads. Answer: Offers best
stability
(ex. HMMWV)
⫸ Unique Characteristic of Low Density Loads. Answer: Offers least
stability
(ex. A22 Cargo Bag)
⫸ Unique Characteristic of Aerodynamic Loads. Answer: Unstable
until the load is streamlined, then it becomes stable
(ex. Downed Aircraft)
⫸ Maximum External Load capabilities.... Answer: will vary due to
environmental conditions and helicopter performance.
⫸ What does ACL mean, what is it, and what is it based on?.
Answer: Allowable Cargo Load - the maximum load capacity for a
particular mission and determines what the helicopter can lift.
Based on type of aircraft, age of airframe, pilot experience, altitude
above sea level, temperature, humidity, and aviation unit's SOP.
⫸ APEX Requirements for UH-1 Iroquois. Answer: A nylon point of
attachment, like 3 ft apex ring or basket hitch, must be used to attach
load to aircraft. In addition, 11k cargo hook reach pendant or a
polyester round sling can be used as the point of attachment to the
A/C to a UH-1 series aircraft.
