Snow Covered Runway
Alf Olav Frog, a Norwegian RV-7 pilot posted some great tips and pictures in the following thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=82318
From his post:
"Here's what I have found useful for landing on ice and snow, and it's the same thing with a TW as a NW:
1) The RWY must be long enough, considering the actual braking action (B/A). Normally I use 500 meters as minimum for the RV.
2) The runway surface must be hard. In other words it must be plowed.
I don't land places where there's "un-plowed snow" (probably wrong english word) on the RWY.
3) The crosswind and B/A must be within reasonable limits.
I use 10 kts as my max X-wind, and medium B/A as my minimum B/A.
4) If the temp is lower than approx -5*C, and there's hardpacked snow on the surface, the B/A is normally medium or better.
The lower temp, the better B/A. I avoid landing places where the temp is above -5*C (approx +23*F). That way I avoid slush and/or water.
5) If there's ONLY ice on the RWY surface, I normally avoid landing there.
6) I stay off the brakes if i can, thus they don't heat up and then they don't freeze up.
7) Normally is a good idea to operate on ice and snow without wheelpants.
8) Regarding technique: it's nothing to it as long as it's hardpacked snow and temp below -5*C and calm winds. It feels about as grass.
In fact; I prefer grass or snow with a TW instead of hard paved surface RWY.
9) The most important thing: CALL the local people plowing the RWY before you go to get current info about the RWY."
