What should a pilot do to prevent damage to the landing gear when departing from a snowy or slushy runway?

To prevent damage to the landing gear when departing from a snowy or slushy runway, it is important for a pilot to allow the landing gear to air dry before retracting it. Snow and slush can freeze or cause moisture to accumulate on the landing gear components, and retracting the gear too soon could trap this moisture in the gear wells, leading to potential damage and operational issues.

Leaving the gear extended allows airflow to help evaporate any moisture and reduces the risk of ice formation. This practice ensures that any residual snow or slush does not create problems later in the flight, such as inhibiting the deployment of the gear during landing or causing additional weight and drag if the gear begins to freeze.

The other options focus on different actions that do not address the specific concerns of moisture and slush impacting the landing gear. While maintaining appropriate airspeed is crucial for other aspects of flight, the specific situation of a snowy or slushy runway requires special consideration for the landing gear.