For an SIC with less than 100 hours in type, which conditions constitute Special Use as listed?

• A. Special use, 3/4 mile vis, RVR <4000, contaminated runway, braking action less than good, 15 knots crosswind, windshear reports, LAHSO, captain determines it necessary
• B. Only clear weather conditions
• C. Any flight conducted under VFR without restrictions
• D. No special use conditions apply

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is that Special Use applies to conditions that significantly raise risk and require special caution and decision-making, especially for an SIC with limited experience in the airplane. The listed factors cover a range of hazards that reduce margins: reduced visibility (3/4 mile) or low runway visual range (RVR under 4000), runway surface concerns (contaminated runway or braking action less than good), performance and handling challenges (crosswinds of 15 knots), weather hazards (windshear reports), and operational restrictions (LAHSO). The captain retains the authority to determine whether it’s necessary to proceed under these conditions, which is an important control for less-experienced crews. When any of these conditions are present, the flight is appropriately treated as Special Use because they demand heightened scrutiny and possible restrictions.

Other choices imply conditions that aren’t about the elevated risk factors that trigger Special Use, such as suggesting only clear weather or no restrictions, which would ignore the real safety considerations that these conditions introduce.