Ramps must be cleared of snow and ice at least how many feet in front of dock doors and on each side to accommodate all landing gear wheels?

• A. Fifty feet
• B. Seventy-five feet
• C. One Hundred Feet
• D. Two Hundred Feet

Answer: (C)

Clearance around the ramp doors must provide a clean, traction-ready path for all landing gear wheels as the aircraft moves onto or off the dock. The C-17 has a wide wheel footprint with multiple main gear assemblies and a steerable nose gear, so you need enough space to accommodate the entire wheel track, the steering arc, and any slight drift during pushback or positioning. Providing a 100-foot buffer in front of the doors and on each side ensures the wheels roll over clear pavement, reduces the risk of skidding on snow or ice, and gives ground crews room to operate tow tractors, chocks, and safety personnel without crowding the aircraft’s turning area. Shorter distances could leave portions of the wheel footprint on ice or snow, while a much longer distance isn’t necessary for safe operations.