What effect does snow, ice, or slush on a runway have on takeoff performance?

What effect does snow, ice, or slush on a runway have on takeoff performance?

• A. Snow, ice, or slush on a runway decreases takeoff performance and increases takeoff distance.
• B. Snow, ice, or slush on a runway decreases takeoff performance but does not affect takeoff weight.
• C. Snow, ice, or slush on a runway decreases performance and typically results in large takeoff weight penalties because the takeoff distance increases significantly.
• D. Snow, ice, or slush on a runway only affects landing performance.

Answer: (C)

When a runway is snow, ice, or slush-covered, friction is reduced and rolling resistance rises. That means the aircraft loses grip and accelerates more slowly, so it needs a longer distance to reach liftoff speed. Because the same runway length is being used, this degraded performance often forces a reduction in takeoff weight to ensure the airplane can still lift off within the available distance. In practice, contaminated runways lead to takeoff weight penalties to maintain safe performance margins. That’s why this option is best: it reflects both the slower acceleration and the practical consequence of needing to lower takeoff weight to compensate for the longer required takeoff distance. The other choices miss either the weight impact, or claim effects apply only to landing, which isn’t accurate.

When a runway is snow, ice, or slush-covered, friction is reduced and rolling resistance rises. That means the aircraft loses grip and accelerates more slowly, so it needs a longer distance to reach liftoff speed. Because the same runway length is being used, this degraded performance often forces a reduction in takeoff weight to ensure the airplane can still lift off within the available distance. In practice, contaminated runways lead to takeoff weight penalties to maintain safe performance margins.

That’s why this option is best: it reflects both the slower acceleration and the practical consequence of needing to lower takeoff weight to compensate for the longer required takeoff distance. The other choices miss either the weight impact, or claim effects apply only to landing, which isn’t accurate.