Pathfinder DZs
8 drop zone selection factors - answerDATSAMOA
Drop Altitude
Airdrop Speed
Type of Aircraft
Size of Drop Zone
Access
Method of Airdrop
Obstacles
Adequate Approach and Departure routes
Who chooses the the drop zone? - answerThe Ground Force Commander
Who advices the GUC on the suitability of a drop zone? - answerThe Drop Zone
Support Team Leader (DZSTL)
What is a drop zone? - answerA designated area where personnel and/or equipment
are delivered by means of a parachute or, in the case of certain items, by free drop.
Drop altitude is measured from ____________ - answerFt Above Ground Level (AGL)
How do you covert AGL to MSL? - answerField elevation rounded up to nearest 50,
then add AGL.
If a rotary wing /STOL aircraft (except UH-series) is flying _______________, the
aircraft can drop personnel at ______________ FT AGL (minimum) - answer90 KIAS or
Faster, 1250
ISAF Fixed Wing Delivery System Altitudes Personal planning drop altitude -
answer1000 Feet
Minimum Airdrop altitude for equipment using the 5k, 10k, or 15k pound parachute
release system is _________ or _________, whichever is _______. - answer1000 Feet
AGL or by parachute type, whichever is higher
3 types of airdrops - answer1) Low Velocity
2) High Velocity
3) Free Drop
, What reference dictates that under no circumstance will bundles and personnel ever
exit the aircraft simultaneously and that all bundles will exit the aircraft prior to
personnel? - answerFM 3-21.220, Chapter 10
3 methods of airdrop - answerPEG
1) Personnel and Door Bundles
2) Extraction
3) Gravity
Who is responsible for conducting a reconnaissance and declaring obstacles in and
near the drop zone? - answerDZSTL
Three Primary Obstacles - answer1) Trees (35 feet or higher)
2) Water (4 feet deep AND 40 feet wide at the widest point, within 1000 meters of any
edge of DZ)
3) Power lines (50 volts or greater AND within 1000m of any edge of drop zone)
4 routes for the aircraft both into and away from drop zone must be considered -
answerNOTE
No-fly areas (impact areas are NOT no-fly areas)
Obstacles to the aircraft
Terrain higher than the drop zone (natural objects)
Enemy situation and location
When does the DZSTL start monitoring the winds? - answerNLT 12 minutes prior to first
TOT. Surface winds must remain at or below max surface wind conditions for 10
minutes before drop can proceed.
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 13 knots? - answer1) personnel
(land)
2) equipment without ground disconnects
3) CDS using G-12 parachute
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 17 knots? - answer1) personnel
(water)
2) equipment with ground disconnects
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 20 knots? - answerCDS or door
bundles using G-13 or G-14 parachutes
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 25 knots? - answerSATB
What type of equipment has no max surface wind restrictions? - answer1) High velocity
CDS/HAARS
8 drop zone selection factors - answerDATSAMOA
Drop Altitude
Airdrop Speed
Type of Aircraft
Size of Drop Zone
Access
Method of Airdrop
Obstacles
Adequate Approach and Departure routes
Who chooses the the drop zone? - answerThe Ground Force Commander
Who advices the GUC on the suitability of a drop zone? - answerThe Drop Zone
Support Team Leader (DZSTL)
What is a drop zone? - answerA designated area where personnel and/or equipment
are delivered by means of a parachute or, in the case of certain items, by free drop.
Drop altitude is measured from ____________ - answerFt Above Ground Level (AGL)
How do you covert AGL to MSL? - answerField elevation rounded up to nearest 50,
then add AGL.
If a rotary wing /STOL aircraft (except UH-series) is flying _______________, the
aircraft can drop personnel at ______________ FT AGL (minimum) - answer90 KIAS or
Faster, 1250
ISAF Fixed Wing Delivery System Altitudes Personal planning drop altitude -
answer1000 Feet
Minimum Airdrop altitude for equipment using the 5k, 10k, or 15k pound parachute
release system is _________ or _________, whichever is _______. - answer1000 Feet
AGL or by parachute type, whichever is higher
3 types of airdrops - answer1) Low Velocity
2) High Velocity
3) Free Drop
, What reference dictates that under no circumstance will bundles and personnel ever
exit the aircraft simultaneously and that all bundles will exit the aircraft prior to
personnel? - answerFM 3-21.220, Chapter 10
3 methods of airdrop - answerPEG
1) Personnel and Door Bundles
2) Extraction
3) Gravity
Who is responsible for conducting a reconnaissance and declaring obstacles in and
near the drop zone? - answerDZSTL
Three Primary Obstacles - answer1) Trees (35 feet or higher)
2) Water (4 feet deep AND 40 feet wide at the widest point, within 1000 meters of any
edge of DZ)
3) Power lines (50 volts or greater AND within 1000m of any edge of drop zone)
4 routes for the aircraft both into and away from drop zone must be considered -
answerNOTE
No-fly areas (impact areas are NOT no-fly areas)
Obstacles to the aircraft
Terrain higher than the drop zone (natural objects)
Enemy situation and location
When does the DZSTL start monitoring the winds? - answerNLT 12 minutes prior to first
TOT. Surface winds must remain at or below max surface wind conditions for 10
minutes before drop can proceed.
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 13 knots? - answer1) personnel
(land)
2) equipment without ground disconnects
3) CDS using G-12 parachute
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 17 knots? - answer1) personnel
(water)
2) equipment with ground disconnects
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 20 knots? - answerCDS or door
bundles using G-13 or G-14 parachutes
What type of equipment has a max surface wind of 25 knots? - answerSATB
What type of equipment has no max surface wind restrictions? - answer1) High velocity
CDS/HAARS
