Definition
A departure from any point on a runway other than the designated beginning of that runway. The aircraft enters the runway at a taxiway intersection partway along its length and begins the takeoff roll from that point, using only the runway distance remaining ahead.
Plain English
Taking off from a point partway down the runway instead of from the very end, so you have less runway in front of you to use.
Context Anchor
You may hear or request this during taxi instructions, especially at a controlled airport when a controller offers a takeoff from a taxiway or runway crossing point.
Derivation
An intersection is the point where a taxiway meets the runway. A departure from that point — rather than from the runway's full-length end — is therefore an intersection departure.
Why Pilots Care
Shortens taxi time and improves runway capacity, but reduces available takeoff distance and requires updated performance calculations.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an intersection departure uses the whole runway. It means the takeoff starts at a crossing point, with only the runway remaining ahead available.
Example Sentence 1
Tower offered an intersection departure at Bravo, but the pilot requested full length because the runway ahead from Bravo was only 4,200 feet.
Example Sentence 2
We accepted the intersection departure after confirming the remaining runway length met our performance requirements.