Definition
A runway threshold that is located at a point on the runway other than the designated beginning of the runway. The paved area before a displaced threshold is available for taxi, takeoff, and landing rollout, but is not available for the touchdown of a landing aircraft.
Plain English
The point where you are allowed to land on a runway has been moved further down from the actual start of the pavement. You can roll over the earlier pavement when taking off or after landing, but you must not touch your wheels down on it when arriving.
Context Anchor
Seen on runway markings, airport diagrams, and during approach and landing planning.
Derivation
Displaced comes from the Latin dis- (away) and placere (to place) -- literally placed away from where you would expect. Threshold comes from Old English and means the entry point or doorway. Together: the doorway to the landing surface has been shifted away from the start of the pavement.
Why Pilots Care
Landing short of the displaced threshold risks obstacles, construction, or unsuitable pavement and can invalidate the required landing distance.
Grounding Statement
Picture a runway where the pavement begins, but the safe landing start line is painted farther ahead.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the first piece of runway pavement is always the place to land. With a displaced threshold, the landing touchdown area begins at the threshold marking, not at the pavement edge.
Example Sentence 1
Because of the displaced threshold on Runway 27, the pilot aimed his touchdown point past the white arrows and the solid threshold bar.
Example Sentence 2
Airport diagrams showed arrows leading to the displaced threshold, indicating the first 1,000 feet were closed to landings.