Pathfinder HLZ Study Guide Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
What is the reference for Helicopter Landing Zones? - Correct answer-FM 3-99
Airborne and Air Assault Operations
What are the consideration factors that contribute to the process of HLZ site
selection? - Correct answer-Tactical Considerations and Technical Considerations
Technical considerations are the responsibility of who? - Correct answer-The
Pathfinder
What are the seven selection factors in reference to technical considerations? -
Correct answer-Size of HLP (OR TDP), Landing formations, surface conditions,
obstacles, approach and departure routes, atmospheric conditions, and type of load
What are the factors that are the basis for size of the HLP (TDP)? - Correct answer-
(SNAP) Size/type of A/C, Night or Day operations, Atmospheric Conditions,
Pilot/unit proficiency
What is the diameter of the TDP for the OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, and UH-
72A? - Correct answer-25 Meters (Army Skid A/C)
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,What is the diameter of the TDP for the AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y? - Correct answer-35
Meters (Marine Corps Skid A/C)
What is the diameter of the TDP for the AH-64, UH-60A/LM, and SH-60? -
Correct answer-50 Meters (All 60 series A/C)
What is the diameter of the TDP for all CH A/C to include the MV/CV-22B
(OSPREY)? - Correct answer-80 Meters (ALL CH A/C)
What is the diameter of the TDP for ALL slingload A/C (Daytime), A/C of
unknown origin (or unreported what is enroute to you), A/C in formation utilizing
Land-Safe System? - Correct answer-100 Meters
What is the diameter of the TDP for all Slingload A/C using longlines? - Correct
answer-125 Meters
What is the diameter of the TDP for all Slingload A/C (Nighttime), A/C w/ Sling
Load utilizing Land-Safe System? - Correct answer-150 Meters
What is the TDP? - Correct answer-Touch Down Point, the area you have cleared
of obstacles
Do Slingload A/C fly in formation? - Correct answer-No
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, When referencing marking the TDP, what does the TDP distance and the crowsfoot
method tell you? - Correct answer-TDP tells how far to walk, and crowsfoot tells
what direction to walk
If establishing a TDP between the hours of 1800 and 0559, what must you do? -
Correct answer-Mark with light
What are the nine standard A/C formations? - Correct answer-Trail, staggered trail
left, staggered trail right, echelon left, echelon right, heavy left, heavy right,
diamond (MOST SECURE ON THE GROUND), and vee
Which A/C formation is the most secure on the ground? - Correct answer-The
diamond
How is the TDP distance measured? - Correct answer-From center to center of the
TDPs
What is the distance between aircraft in flight during the day? - Correct answer-2
to 3 rotor disks
What is the distance between aircraft in flight during night? - Correct answer-3 to 5
rotor disks
Which formation do you double the distance between the first and third A/C? -
Correct answer-Heavy left and heavy right
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Questions and Answers
What is the reference for Helicopter Landing Zones? - Correct answer-FM 3-99
Airborne and Air Assault Operations
What are the consideration factors that contribute to the process of HLZ site
selection? - Correct answer-Tactical Considerations and Technical Considerations
Technical considerations are the responsibility of who? - Correct answer-The
Pathfinder
What are the seven selection factors in reference to technical considerations? -
Correct answer-Size of HLP (OR TDP), Landing formations, surface conditions,
obstacles, approach and departure routes, atmospheric conditions, and type of load
What are the factors that are the basis for size of the HLP (TDP)? - Correct answer-
(SNAP) Size/type of A/C, Night or Day operations, Atmospheric Conditions,
Pilot/unit proficiency
What is the diameter of the TDP for the OH-6, OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, and UH-
72A? - Correct answer-25 Meters (Army Skid A/C)
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is the diameter of the TDP for the AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y? - Correct answer-35
Meters (Marine Corps Skid A/C)
What is the diameter of the TDP for the AH-64, UH-60A/LM, and SH-60? -
Correct answer-50 Meters (All 60 series A/C)
What is the diameter of the TDP for all CH A/C to include the MV/CV-22B
(OSPREY)? - Correct answer-80 Meters (ALL CH A/C)
What is the diameter of the TDP for ALL slingload A/C (Daytime), A/C of
unknown origin (or unreported what is enroute to you), A/C in formation utilizing
Land-Safe System? - Correct answer-100 Meters
What is the diameter of the TDP for all Slingload A/C using longlines? - Correct
answer-125 Meters
What is the diameter of the TDP for all Slingload A/C (Nighttime), A/C w/ Sling
Load utilizing Land-Safe System? - Correct answer-150 Meters
What is the TDP? - Correct answer-Touch Down Point, the area you have cleared
of obstacles
Do Slingload A/C fly in formation? - Correct answer-No
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, When referencing marking the TDP, what does the TDP distance and the crowsfoot
method tell you? - Correct answer-TDP tells how far to walk, and crowsfoot tells
what direction to walk
If establishing a TDP between the hours of 1800 and 0559, what must you do? -
Correct answer-Mark with light
What are the nine standard A/C formations? - Correct answer-Trail, staggered trail
left, staggered trail right, echelon left, echelon right, heavy left, heavy right,
diamond (MOST SECURE ON THE GROUND), and vee
Which A/C formation is the most secure on the ground? - Correct answer-The
diamond
How is the TDP distance measured? - Correct answer-From center to center of the
TDPs
What is the distance between aircraft in flight during the day? - Correct answer-2
to 3 rotor disks
What is the distance between aircraft in flight during night? - Correct answer-3 to 5
rotor disks
Which formation do you double the distance between the first and third A/C? -
Correct answer-Heavy left and heavy right
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
