Snow condition would prevent takeoff according to the policy?

• A. Dry snow over 3 inches
• B. Wet snow under 1 inch
• C. Melting slush
• D. Light dusting of powder snow

Answer: (A)

Runway surface conditions and takeoff performance depend on snow depth and moisture. When there is more than three inches of dry snow on the runway, the policy prohibits takeoff because the surface becomes too resistant and unpredictable for a safe acceleration to takeoff speed within the available runway length. Dry snow at that depth creates significant rolling resistance and can hide irregularities, making it difficult to achieve and sustain liftoff.

The other conditions are less severe or within allowable limits of the policy: a shallow layer of wet snow or a light dusting of powder snow doesn’t reach the depth threshold or the specific surface hazard level that would automatically prevent takeoff, and melting slush, while hazardous, is not the automatic prohibition in this policy.