200 BEST REVIEW PATHFINDER HLZ QUESTIONS/100% VERIFIED
CORRECT ANSWERS 2024/2025
1. What are the two main categories that consist of the consideration factors for
selecting an HLZ?: 1. Tactical Considerations
• Technical Considerations
2. What are the tactical considerations for selecting the HLZ site?: The considerations
that pertain to the actual mission of the unit being moved. These consider are the
responsibility of the Ground Unit Commander (GUC) and the Aviation Unit Commander, and
their staff and include the following:
a) Estimate of situation using METT-TC (mission, enemy and friendly considera- tions,
troops, terrain and weather, time available, and civilians)
b) Location of the objective from tentative HLS
c) Size of the element being moved
3. What are the technical considerations when selecting the HLZ?: These are the
considerations that pertain to the technical aspect of selection and operation of a day or
night HLS. These are the responsibility of the Pathfinder and are subdivided into seven
selection factors (SOSATAL):
1) Size of HLP
2) Obstacles
3) Surface conditions
4) Approach and departure routes
5) Type of Load
6) Atmospheric conditions
7) Landing formation
4. How will the size of the HLP (Helicopter Landing Point) be decided?: the size of the
HLP will be decided by the aviation unit commander based on:
a) Size/Type of Aircraft
b) Pilot/Unit Proficiency
c) Whether operation will be during Day or Night
d) Atmospheric Conditions
5. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 1 HLP?: 25 meters ; OH-6, OH-
58, MH-6, AH-6, UH72A
6. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 2 HLP?: 35 meters ; UH-1N/Y
and AH-1W/Z
7. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 3 HLP?: 50 meters ;
UH60A/L/M, SH60, AH-64
8. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 4 HLP?: 80 meters ; All CH
A/C, to include MV/CV-22B (Osprey)
9. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 5 HLP?: 100 meters ; All sling
,load A/C during daytime, all unknown/foreign A/C, and A/C using land-safe
10. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 6 HLP?: 125 meters
; All sling load A/C using long lines
11. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 7 HLP?: 150 meters
; All sling load A/C during nighttime and all sling load A/C using land-safe
12. When different aircraft are in formation, which aircraft would you choose to make
the size of the HLP's for at the HLZ?: Always pace off of the largest aircraft/largest size
13. What are the nine standard aircraft formations?: 1) Trail
2) Staggered Trail Left
3) Staggered Trail Right
4) Echelon left
5) Echelon right
6) Heavy left
7) Heavy right
8) Vee
9) Diamond
14. Which aircraft formation is the most secure?: Diamond
15. Surface conditions at the HLS should be?: 1) Firm enough to support the weight of
the aircraft
2) Free of loose sand, snow, or debris (brown-out or white-out conditions)
*Note* Add environmental considerations for cold weather, desert, and mountains
16. In terms of the surface conditions, how should Pathfinders choose the HLS?: a)
Choose a hard surface: needs to support weight of A/C, avoids excessive dust or blowing
snow; must allow a fully loaded helicopter to land, restart, and leave again, all without
sinking into the ground; if a surface does not meet these conditions, then an advisory must
be given to A/C to terminate at a hover or touch down while under power. IF mission does
not allow this then a new site must be selected.
b) Clear to level ground: Pathfinders must clear entire TDP of loose material, debris that
rotors can stir up and injure personnel/Aircraft. They need not clear grass shorter than 1
foot, as long as field is level. They can cut down on dirt by wetting it. If debris cannot be
cleared and there is potential for brown-out/white-out conditions, then Pathfinders must
provide advisories and radio guidance as required.
17. What are obstacles?: Obstacles are anything that are 18" high, wide, or deep
*A landing point will never contain and obstacle. All obstacles will be removed, reduced, or
marked.
18. What are the Four R's when referring to obstacles?: Remove Reduce
Red (mark in red)
, Radio (advise pilot)
*Ground Slope can be considered an obstacle*
19. In terms of a slope, how should a Pathfinder always attempt to land an A/C?:
Always attempt to land the aircraft up-slope or side-slope. NEVER land an aircraft down-
slope if at all possible.
20. What are the ground slope restrictions?: 1) All A/C can land where ground slope
measures 7 degrees or less and no advisory is required
2) When the slope exceeds 7 degrees, OH & UH A/C that utilize skids for landing must
terminate at a hover
3) When the slope measures between 7 and 15 degrees, large UH & CH A/C that utilize
wheels for landing, are issued an advisory and they will land upslope
4) If the slope exceeds 15 degrees, all A/C must terminate at a hover
21. In what unit of measurement of ground slope measured in?: degrees
22. What is the slope formula?: (difference in elevation/horizontal distance)X57.3
*Always round the degree of slope up*
23. How do you convert feet to meters? Meters to feet?: Feet to meters : divide by 3.28
Meters to feet : multiply by 3.28
24. In order of importance, how is the land heading chosen?: 1) Long axis
2) Wind speed/direction
3) Ground slope
25. How large must the obstacle buffer be made?: - A 100 meter buffer or a 10:1 Obstacle
Ration (whichever is greater) will be given on approach and departure ends of the HLS
- A 10 meter buffer will be given to both sides of the site
*NOTE: When given authority by the GUC, Pathfinders may reduce the obstacle ratio to no
less than 5:1 or 50 meters (whichever is greater)*
*Make sure you always convert to meters*
26. In terms of prevailing winds, how do you always want to try to land the aircraft?:
ALWAYS ATTEMPT TO LAND THE A/C FACING INTO THE WIND. Wind direction of 45 degrees
left or right of land heading IS considered a head wind.
*NOTE: Depending on the A/C capabilities, the A/C can land if the crosswind is between 0-9
knots and the tailwind speed is between 0-5 knots. When the speeds exceed 9 knots, the pilot
MUST land into the wind.*
27. How can the departure heading vary?: The departure heading can vary up to 45
degrees to either side of the land heading.
28. Density altitude affects the ACL of the A/C for any given situation. What does it
consist of?: H : Humidity - (relative humidity) refers to the amount of
CORRECT ANSWERS 2024/2025
1. What are the two main categories that consist of the consideration factors for
selecting an HLZ?: 1. Tactical Considerations
• Technical Considerations
2. What are the tactical considerations for selecting the HLZ site?: The considerations
that pertain to the actual mission of the unit being moved. These consider are the
responsibility of the Ground Unit Commander (GUC) and the Aviation Unit Commander, and
their staff and include the following:
a) Estimate of situation using METT-TC (mission, enemy and friendly considera- tions,
troops, terrain and weather, time available, and civilians)
b) Location of the objective from tentative HLS
c) Size of the element being moved
3. What are the technical considerations when selecting the HLZ?: These are the
considerations that pertain to the technical aspect of selection and operation of a day or
night HLS. These are the responsibility of the Pathfinder and are subdivided into seven
selection factors (SOSATAL):
1) Size of HLP
2) Obstacles
3) Surface conditions
4) Approach and departure routes
5) Type of Load
6) Atmospheric conditions
7) Landing formation
4. How will the size of the HLP (Helicopter Landing Point) be decided?: the size of the
HLP will be decided by the aviation unit commander based on:
a) Size/Type of Aircraft
b) Pilot/Unit Proficiency
c) Whether operation will be during Day or Night
d) Atmospheric Conditions
5. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 1 HLP?: 25 meters ; OH-6, OH-
58, MH-6, AH-6, UH72A
6. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 2 HLP?: 35 meters ; UH-1N/Y
and AH-1W/Z
7. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 3 HLP?: 50 meters ;
UH60A/L/M, SH60, AH-64
8. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 4 HLP?: 80 meters ; All CH
A/C, to include MV/CV-22B (Osprey)
9. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 5 HLP?: 100 meters ; All sling
,load A/C during daytime, all unknown/foreign A/C, and A/C using land-safe
10. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 6 HLP?: 125 meters
; All sling load A/C using long lines
11. What is the diameter and what aircraft belong as a Size 7 HLP?: 150 meters
; All sling load A/C during nighttime and all sling load A/C using land-safe
12. When different aircraft are in formation, which aircraft would you choose to make
the size of the HLP's for at the HLZ?: Always pace off of the largest aircraft/largest size
13. What are the nine standard aircraft formations?: 1) Trail
2) Staggered Trail Left
3) Staggered Trail Right
4) Echelon left
5) Echelon right
6) Heavy left
7) Heavy right
8) Vee
9) Diamond
14. Which aircraft formation is the most secure?: Diamond
15. Surface conditions at the HLS should be?: 1) Firm enough to support the weight of
the aircraft
2) Free of loose sand, snow, or debris (brown-out or white-out conditions)
*Note* Add environmental considerations for cold weather, desert, and mountains
16. In terms of the surface conditions, how should Pathfinders choose the HLS?: a)
Choose a hard surface: needs to support weight of A/C, avoids excessive dust or blowing
snow; must allow a fully loaded helicopter to land, restart, and leave again, all without
sinking into the ground; if a surface does not meet these conditions, then an advisory must
be given to A/C to terminate at a hover or touch down while under power. IF mission does
not allow this then a new site must be selected.
b) Clear to level ground: Pathfinders must clear entire TDP of loose material, debris that
rotors can stir up and injure personnel/Aircraft. They need not clear grass shorter than 1
foot, as long as field is level. They can cut down on dirt by wetting it. If debris cannot be
cleared and there is potential for brown-out/white-out conditions, then Pathfinders must
provide advisories and radio guidance as required.
17. What are obstacles?: Obstacles are anything that are 18" high, wide, or deep
*A landing point will never contain and obstacle. All obstacles will be removed, reduced, or
marked.
18. What are the Four R's when referring to obstacles?: Remove Reduce
Red (mark in red)
, Radio (advise pilot)
*Ground Slope can be considered an obstacle*
19. In terms of a slope, how should a Pathfinder always attempt to land an A/C?:
Always attempt to land the aircraft up-slope or side-slope. NEVER land an aircraft down-
slope if at all possible.
20. What are the ground slope restrictions?: 1) All A/C can land where ground slope
measures 7 degrees or less and no advisory is required
2) When the slope exceeds 7 degrees, OH & UH A/C that utilize skids for landing must
terminate at a hover
3) When the slope measures between 7 and 15 degrees, large UH & CH A/C that utilize
wheels for landing, are issued an advisory and they will land upslope
4) If the slope exceeds 15 degrees, all A/C must terminate at a hover
21. In what unit of measurement of ground slope measured in?: degrees
22. What is the slope formula?: (difference in elevation/horizontal distance)X57.3
*Always round the degree of slope up*
23. How do you convert feet to meters? Meters to feet?: Feet to meters : divide by 3.28
Meters to feet : multiply by 3.28
24. In order of importance, how is the land heading chosen?: 1) Long axis
2) Wind speed/direction
3) Ground slope
25. How large must the obstacle buffer be made?: - A 100 meter buffer or a 10:1 Obstacle
Ration (whichever is greater) will be given on approach and departure ends of the HLS
- A 10 meter buffer will be given to both sides of the site
*NOTE: When given authority by the GUC, Pathfinders may reduce the obstacle ratio to no
less than 5:1 or 50 meters (whichever is greater)*
*Make sure you always convert to meters*
26. In terms of prevailing winds, how do you always want to try to land the aircraft?:
ALWAYS ATTEMPT TO LAND THE A/C FACING INTO THE WIND. Wind direction of 45 degrees
left or right of land heading IS considered a head wind.
*NOTE: Depending on the A/C capabilities, the A/C can land if the crosswind is between 0-9
knots and the tailwind speed is between 0-5 knots. When the speeds exceed 9 knots, the pilot
MUST land into the wind.*
27. How can the departure heading vary?: The departure heading can vary up to 45
degrees to either side of the land heading.
28. Density altitude affects the ACL of the A/C for any given situation. What does it
consist of?: H : Humidity - (relative humidity) refers to the amount of
