Definition
The internal route through a gas turbine engine along which air and combustion gases flow, beginning at the inlet, passing through the compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine, and exiting through the exhaust nozzle.
Plain English
The path that air takes as it travels through a jet engine, from the moment it enters the front to the moment it leaves the back.
Context Anchor
Seen in turbine engine descriptions, engine inspection discussions, and maintenance write-ups about damage, blockage, or wear inside the engine.
Why Pilots Care
Damage, deposits, or blockages along the gas path reduce engine efficiency, thrust, and reliability.
Analogy
Think of it like the route air takes through a hair dryer: air enters one end, is acted on inside, and exits the other end. In a turbine engine, that route is much hotter, faster, and more critical.
Intuition Check
Gas path does not mean the route of gasoline through fuel lines. Here, gas means the moving air and burned fuel gases flowing through the engine.
Example Sentence 1
During the inspection, the technician checked the gas path for signs of erosion on the compressor and turbine blades.
Example Sentence 2
A restriction in the gas path caused a noticeable drop in exhaust gas temperature margin.