PATHFINDER HLZ EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations. Answer: FM 3-
99
◉ HLZ Considerations. Answer: Tactical and Technical
◉ Technical selection factors. Answer: Landing formations, Surface
conditions, Obstacles, Approach and departure routes, Atmospheric
conditions, Type of Load
◉ Size of HLZ factors. Answer: 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. Answer: 25 Meters, OH-6,
OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH-72A
◉ TDP Size 2 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 35 meters, AH-
1W/Z, UH-1N/Y
,◉ TDP Size 3 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 50 meters, UH-60,
AH-64, SH-60, MH-60 (All 60 series)
◉ TDP Size 4 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 80 meters, All
Cargo A/C, MV/CV-22B
◉ TDP Size 5 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 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. Answer: 125 meters, all SL
using long lines
◉ TDP size 7 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 150 meters, all
night SL, SL A/C using Land-Safe
◉ Landing Formations. Answer: Trail, Echelon Left, Echelon Right,
Heavy Right, Heavy Left, Diamond, Vee, Staggered Trail Right,
Staggered Trail Left
◉ What Surface conditions are required?. Answer: 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. Answer: 18" high, wide or
deep. Slope considered obstacle
◉ Four R's. Answer: Remove, reduce, red (mark), Radio (advise
pilot)
◉ Where should you attempt to land A/C on slope. Answer: Upslope
◉ Ground Slope Restrictions. Answer: 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. Answer: (Difference in elevation/ horizontal
distance) * 57.3
◉ How should approaches be made?. Answer: Long axis of HLZ and
into the wind
◉ Obstacle Buffer Ratio. Answer: 10:1 or 100 meters max
5:1 or 50 meters if you may reduce
◉ Wind max. Answer: 0-9 knots cross wind
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Reference for Airborne and Air Assault Operations. Answer: FM 3-
99
◉ HLZ Considerations. Answer: Tactical and Technical
◉ Technical selection factors. Answer: Landing formations, Surface
conditions, Obstacles, Approach and departure routes, Atmospheric
conditions, Type of Load
◉ Size of HLZ factors. Answer: 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. Answer: 25 Meters, OH-6,
OH-58, MH-6, AH-6, UH-72A
◉ TDP Size 2 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 35 meters, AH-
1W/Z, UH-1N/Y
,◉ TDP Size 3 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 50 meters, UH-60,
AH-64, SH-60, MH-60 (All 60 series)
◉ TDP Size 4 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 80 meters, All
Cargo A/C, MV/CV-22B
◉ TDP Size 5 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 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. Answer: 125 meters, all SL
using long lines
◉ TDP size 7 Diameter and Type of A/C. Answer: 150 meters, all
night SL, SL A/C using Land-Safe
◉ Landing Formations. Answer: Trail, Echelon Left, Echelon Right,
Heavy Right, Heavy Left, Diamond, Vee, Staggered Trail Right,
Staggered Trail Left
◉ What Surface conditions are required?. Answer: 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. Answer: 18" high, wide or
deep. Slope considered obstacle
◉ Four R's. Answer: Remove, reduce, red (mark), Radio (advise
pilot)
◉ Where should you attempt to land A/C on slope. Answer: Upslope
◉ Ground Slope Restrictions. Answer: 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. Answer: (Difference in elevation/ horizontal
distance) * 57.3
◉ How should approaches be made?. Answer: Long axis of HLZ and
into the wind
◉ Obstacle Buffer Ratio. Answer: 10:1 or 100 meters max
5:1 or 50 meters if you may reduce
◉ Wind max. Answer: 0-9 knots cross wind
