Definition
More engine thrust than is required to maintain the desired flight path or airspeed for the current configuration and phase of flight. In a large airplane, excessive thrust typically results in unwanted acceleration, pitch-up tendency, or deviation above the desired altitude or glidepath if not corrected by a coordinated change in pitch attitude.
Plain English
Using more power than the airplane needs at that moment, which makes it speed up, climb, or pitch up when you didn't want it to.
Context Anchor
Seen in large-airplane instrument flying when power changes must be controlled carefully during climbs, descents, level-offs, and approaches.
Derivation
“Excessive” comes from a word meaning “to go beyond.” “Thrust” means a push. Together, the phrase means engine push that goes beyond what the situation calls for.
Why Pilots Care
Uncorrected excessive thrust can cause altitude and airspeed deviations that are difficult to correct on instruments and may lead to loss of control in high-performance aircraft.
Intuition Check
Excessive thrust does not mean maximum thrust. It means more engine push than the airplane needs at that moment.
Example Sentence 1
On level-off at cruise altitude, the pilot reduced power to avoid excessive thrust that would have driven the airspeed past the target.
Example Sentence 2
On the ILS, the crew monitored thrust carefully so excessive thrust would not cause the airplane to balloon above the glideslope.