Definition
The pre-planned actions a pilot takes to safely stop an aircraft on the runway when continuing the takeoff is judged unsafe or impossible. These procedures specify the decision point before which a takeoff will be discontinued, the immediate actions to bring the aircraft to a stop (typically reducing power to idle, applying brakes, retracting flaps as appropriate, and maintaining directional control), and the follow-up steps after stopping (clearing the runway, notifying ATC, and inspecting the aircraft).
Plain English
A set of steps the pilot decides on before takeoff for how to stop the airplane on the runway if something goes wrong before lift-off. It covers when to make the stop decision, how to stop the aircraft, and what to do once stopped.
Context Anchor
Used during takeoff briefings, takeoff training, and any takeoff roll where the pilot must be ready to stop on the remaining runway.
Derivation
Reject' and 'abort' both mean to stop something already in progress. 'Reject' comes from Latin reicere meaning 'throw back,' and 'abort' from Latin aboriri meaning 'to fail at the start.' Both terms are used interchangeably in aviation to describe stopping a takeoff that has begun.
Why Pilots Care
Correct execution prevents runway excursions and keeps the aircraft under control during a high-energy ground maneuver.
Grounding Statement
Picture the aircraft speeding up on the runway, the pilot notices a serious problem, and the correct action is to stop now while there is still room.
Intuition Check
Do not read “rejected” as an air traffic control denial, and do not read “aborted” as panic or failure. In this context, both mean a planned safety decision to stop a takeoff after it has begun.
Example Sentence 1
During the takeoff briefing, the pilot stated, 'Any problem before 60 knots, we reject; after that, we troubleshoot in the air.'
Example Sentence 2
Aborted takeoff practice is performed at safe speeds on the runway to rehearse the required actions.