Definition
The first 3,000 feet of the runway beginning at the threshold, used for the determination of touchdown zone elevation in the development of straight-in instrument approach procedures. It is the portion of the runway where landing aircraft are expected to make first contact with the surface.
Plain English
The first 3,000 feet of the runway after the start, where airplanes are supposed to actually land. It is the target stretch of pavement for putting the wheels down.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach, landing minimums, runway visibility reports, and runway lighting discussions.
Why Pilots Care
It determines how much runway length is needed to stop safely and relates directly to required markings, lighting, and go/no-go landing decisions.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the touchdown zone is wherever the wheels happen to touch down. In FAA use, the TDZ is a defined runway area at the landing end of the runway.
Example Sentence 1
The captain briefed that the touchdown zone elevation was 412 feet, which set the decision altitude for the approach.
Example Sentence 2
Runway stripes mark the start of the touchdown zone so pilots can judge their aim point during approach.