What are the FAA desired outcomes during airport snow removal operations?

What are the FAA desired outcomes during airport snow removal operations?

• A. No worse than wet
• B. No snow on surface
• C. Runways completely dry
• D. Airport closures as needed

Answer: (A)

The goal in FAA snow removal operations is to leave the pavement in a condition no worse than wet. This means the surface can have a thin moisture film but should not have ice, packed snow, or slush that would degrade braking action. Why this fits best: a wet surface provides a predictable and acceptable level of friction for safe aircraft braking, allowing operations to continue without resorting to full closures. It acknowledges that completely dry or snow-free conditions aren’t always practical to achieve quickly, and requiring absolute dryness isn’t necessary for safe landings and takeoffs. Slower, colder weather can make ice or deeper snow hazardous, so aiming for “no worse than wet” gives a realistic, safety-oriented standard. The other options set too strict or impractical an outcome: requiring no snow on the surface or completely dry runways would be difficult to guarantee in all conditions, and closures as needed are not the intended default outcome of snow removal efforts.

The goal in FAA snow removal operations is to leave the pavement in a condition no worse than wet. This means the surface can have a thin moisture film but should not have ice, packed snow, or slush that would degrade braking action.

Why this fits best: a wet surface provides a predictable and acceptable level of friction for safe aircraft braking, allowing operations to continue without resorting to full closures. It acknowledges that completely dry or snow-free conditions aren’t always practical to achieve quickly, and requiring absolute dryness isn’t necessary for safe landings and takeoffs. Slower, colder weather can make ice or deeper snow hazardous, so aiming for “no worse than wet” gives a realistic, safety-oriented standard.

The other options set too strict or impractical an outcome: requiring no snow on the surface or completely dry runways would be difficult to guarantee in all conditions, and closures as needed are not the intended default outcome of snow removal efforts.