Pathfinder DZ Test Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
CARP Drop zone and landing zone operations - Correct answer-AFI 13-217
Computed Air Release Point Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-231
Pathfinder Operations - Correct answer-FM 3-21.38
Static line parachuting techniques and training - Correct answer-TC 3-21.220
Training Airborne Operations - Correct answer-USASOC REG 350-2
C130 Operations Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-2C-130v3
Training Airborne Operations - Correct answer-USASOC REG 350-2
C-130 Operations Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-2C-130v3
C-17 Operations Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-2C-17v3
What is a dropzone? - Correct answer-designated area where personnel/equipment
are delivered by means of a parachute or free drop.
Who is responsible for designating the dropzone location? - Correct answer-
Ground Unit Commander
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,Does the dropzone have to be cleared? - Correct answer-No
What are the eight dropzone selection factors when determining suitability? -
Correct answer-Airpdrop Airspeed
Drop Altitude
Type of Airdrop
Method of Airdrop
Obstacles
Access
Adequate Approach & Departure Routes
Size of Drop Zone
Slower the A/C flies.... - Correct answer-more jumpers or equipment can be
delivered
Static Line Parachuting Techniques and Training - Correct answer-TC 3-21.220
Planning speed for the UH series A/C - Correct answer-70 KIAS
Planning speed for the CH series A/C - Correct answer-90 KIAS
Planning speed for the STOL A/C (C-23 Sherpa / Casa212/Twin Otter/OV-10) -
Correct answer-105 KIAS
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,Planning speed for the C-130 & C-17 Personnel/Door Bundle - Correct answer-130
KIAS
C-130/C-17 CDS Equip. Combo Planning Speed - Correct answer-140 KIAS
(Optimum for C17)
C-17 Heavy Equipment Planning Speed - Correct answer-150 KIAS
What types of loads have a planning speed of 140 knots? - Correct answer-CRRC
Sled
Wedge
HV CDS
Free Fall
CDS/Equipment/Combo
When having a combination drop, what airspeed do you use? - Correct answer-Use
the higher airspeed Knots indicated Airspeed
When having a combination drop, what airdrop altitude do you use? - Correct
answer-Highest Altitude
Planning Rule for combo drops - Correct answer-Diff A/C in formation dropping
Diff Loads in the same pass
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, OR
Diff. types of loads exiting the same A/C during the same pass
Drop Altitude is measured from? - Correct answer-Above Ground Level
To find the Mean Sea Level (MSL) - Correct answer-Field Elevation rounded to
nearest 50FT + drop altitude in FT AGL
Rotary Wing & STOL Delivery Altitude Personnel Day/Night - Correct answer-
1500 Feet AGL
If Rotary Wing & STOL A/C are flying 90 KIAS or faster, what can you drop
personnel AGL to? - Correct answer-1250 Feet AGL
UH Series A/C not included.
Rotary Wing & STOL Delivery Altitude Bundles Day - Correct answer-300 Feet
AGL
Rotary Wing & STOL Delivery Altitude Bundles Night - Correct answer-500 Feet
AGL
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and Answers
CARP Drop zone and landing zone operations - Correct answer-AFI 13-217
Computed Air Release Point Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-231
Pathfinder Operations - Correct answer-FM 3-21.38
Static line parachuting techniques and training - Correct answer-TC 3-21.220
Training Airborne Operations - Correct answer-USASOC REG 350-2
C130 Operations Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-2C-130v3
Training Airborne Operations - Correct answer-USASOC REG 350-2
C-130 Operations Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-2C-130v3
C-17 Operations Procedures - Correct answer-AFI 11-2C-17v3
What is a dropzone? - Correct answer-designated area where personnel/equipment
are delivered by means of a parachute or free drop.
Who is responsible for designating the dropzone location? - Correct answer-
Ground Unit Commander
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Does the dropzone have to be cleared? - Correct answer-No
What are the eight dropzone selection factors when determining suitability? -
Correct answer-Airpdrop Airspeed
Drop Altitude
Type of Airdrop
Method of Airdrop
Obstacles
Access
Adequate Approach & Departure Routes
Size of Drop Zone
Slower the A/C flies.... - Correct answer-more jumpers or equipment can be
delivered
Static Line Parachuting Techniques and Training - Correct answer-TC 3-21.220
Planning speed for the UH series A/C - Correct answer-70 KIAS
Planning speed for the CH series A/C - Correct answer-90 KIAS
Planning speed for the STOL A/C (C-23 Sherpa / Casa212/Twin Otter/OV-10) -
Correct answer-105 KIAS
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Planning speed for the C-130 & C-17 Personnel/Door Bundle - Correct answer-130
KIAS
C-130/C-17 CDS Equip. Combo Planning Speed - Correct answer-140 KIAS
(Optimum for C17)
C-17 Heavy Equipment Planning Speed - Correct answer-150 KIAS
What types of loads have a planning speed of 140 knots? - Correct answer-CRRC
Sled
Wedge
HV CDS
Free Fall
CDS/Equipment/Combo
When having a combination drop, what airspeed do you use? - Correct answer-Use
the higher airspeed Knots indicated Airspeed
When having a combination drop, what airdrop altitude do you use? - Correct
answer-Highest Altitude
Planning Rule for combo drops - Correct answer-Diff A/C in formation dropping
Diff Loads in the same pass
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, OR
Diff. types of loads exiting the same A/C during the same pass
Drop Altitude is measured from? - Correct answer-Above Ground Level
To find the Mean Sea Level (MSL) - Correct answer-Field Elevation rounded to
nearest 50FT + drop altitude in FT AGL
Rotary Wing & STOL Delivery Altitude Personnel Day/Night - Correct answer-
1500 Feet AGL
If Rotary Wing & STOL A/C are flying 90 KIAS or faster, what can you drop
personnel AGL to? - Correct answer-1250 Feet AGL
UH Series A/C not included.
Rotary Wing & STOL Delivery Altitude Bundles Day - Correct answer-300 Feet
AGL
Rotary Wing & STOL Delivery Altitude Bundles Night - Correct answer-500 Feet
AGL
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
