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Performance and weight and balanceQuestion 851 of 934

How does a soft or grassy runway affect the takeoff ground roll?

  1. It decreases the ground roll
  2. It increases the ground roll
  3. It has no effect on the ground roll
  4. It affects only the landing roll
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Correct answer: It increases the ground roll

Any surface that is not hard and smooth increases the ground roll because the tires cannot roll freely.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance — Runway Surface and Gradient, page 268

Practice performance and weight and balance

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026