Definition
A rejected takeoff is the deliberate decision by the pilot to discontinue the takeoff and bring the airplane to a stop on the remaining runway after the takeoff roll has begun but before the airplane has become airborne. It is initiated in response to an abnormality such as an engine problem, system warning, control issue, runway obstruction, or any condition the pilot judges unsafe to continue with.
Plain English
Stopping the takeoff once you have already started rolling down the runway, because something has gone wrong and continuing into the air would not be safe.
Context Anchor
Encountered during takeoff planning, takeoff briefing, runway operations, and training for abnormal events during the takeoff roll.
Derivation
‘Reject’ comes from the Latin reicere, meaning ‘to throw back.’ In this context, the pilot is throwing back the takeoff — refusing to commit to flight and returning to a stop on the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Enables a safe stop on the runway when issues arise early, preventing accidents from continuing an unsafe takeoff.
Intuition Check
Do not read “rejected” as a takeoff that was canceled before it began. In this context, the takeoff has already started, and the pilot is stopping it before continuing into flight.
Example Sentence 1
When the engine surged on the takeoff roll, the pilot performed an RTO, closed the throttle, applied brakes, and brought the airplane to a stop on the runway.
Example Sentence 2
Proper RTO technique keeps the aircraft on the runway centerline while applying maximum braking.