Pathfinder HLZ Test Exam/127 Questions
with 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 - -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? - -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 - -10:1 or 100 meters max
5:1 or 50 meters if you may reduce
-Wind max - -0-9 knots cross wind
0-5 knots tail wind
-departure heading varying maximum - -45 degrees
-Atmospheric Conditions - -Humidity, Altitude above sea level, temperature
-Type of load - -Internal, External, Personnel, Equipment
-Types of markings of Night OPs - -Inverted Y and NATO T
-When is 5th light used on Inverted Y? - -All Cargo A/C
-How many lights needed and when is NATO T used? - -5 lights. When
coordinated for or flying above 500 feet AGL
-How much total length is added when NATO T is used? - -20 meters
-Distances of Inverted Y? 5th light distance? - -14 meters horizontal, 14
meters vertical and then 7 meters vertical. 7 meters if on top and 10 meters
if bottom right
-Distances of NATO T lights? - -10 meters between all lights
-Additional Aircraft light distances and location. - -5 meters for non-cargo.
10 meters for cargo. both are right of the A/C