Which statement best describes the clearway as defined for turbine-powered airplanes certificated after 1959?

Which statement best describes the clearway as defined for turbine-powered airplanes certificated after 1959?

• A. An area beyond the end of the runway, at least 500 feet wide, centrally located about the extended centerline, with an upward slope not exceeding 1.25 percent.
• B. A taxiway adjacent to the runway.
• C. A vertically cleared obstruction-free zone within the runway.
• D. A ground area used for de-icing.

Answer: (A)

Key idea: a clearway is extra, obstacle-free space beyond the end of the runway that helps a turbine-powered airplane achieve the required takeoff climb without hitting obstacles. For airplanes certificated after 1959, this area must be at least 500 feet wide and centered on the extended runway centerline, with a slope not steeper than 1.25 percent. This precise setup provides a reliable path for the initial climb, extending the usable takeoff distance beyond the runway itself. Other options describe areas that aren’t designated obstacle-free takeoff corridors beyond the runway end (such as a nearby taxiway, a zone inside the runway, or a ground de-icing area), so they don’t match the formal definition of a clearway.

Key idea: a clearway is extra, obstacle-free space beyond the end of the runway that helps a turbine-powered airplane achieve the required takeoff climb without hitting obstacles. For airplanes certificated after 1959, this area must be at least 500 feet wide and centered on the extended runway centerline, with a slope not steeper than 1.25 percent. This precise setup provides a reliable path for the initial climb, extending the usable takeoff distance beyond the runway itself. Other options describe areas that aren’t designated obstacle-free takeoff corridors beyond the runway end (such as a nearby taxiway, a zone inside the runway, or a ground de-icing area), so they don’t match the formal definition of a clearway.