Definition
The distance an airplane travels along the runway surface with its wheels in contact with the ground — either while accelerating from a stop until lift-off on takeoff, or after touchdown until coming to a full stop or taxi speed on landing.
Plain English
The portion of the takeoff or landing where the airplane is rolling on the runway, before it lifts off or after it touches down.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in takeoff and landing performance planning, especially when checking whether a runway is long enough for the airplane, weight, wind, temperature, and surface conditions.
Derivation
‘Roll’ here is used in its plain sense — the wheels rolling along the ground. It distinguishes the on-the-ground portion from the airborne portion of a takeoff or landing.
Why Pilots Care
It directly determines the minimum runway length required and influences go/no-go decisions, especially at high density altitudes or with obstacles.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane accelerating down the runway before it lifts off, or slowing along the runway after touchdown; that ground distance is the ground roll.
Intuition Check
Do not read “roll” here as a turn or bank of the airplane. In this term, “roll” means the part of takeoff or landing where the wheels are rolling on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
On a hot day at a high-elevation airport, the pilot expected a longer takeoff roll and confirmed the runway provided adequate margin.
Example Sentence 2
A tailwind increased the landing roll, requiring the pilot to use maximum braking after touchdown.