Definition
The length of runway declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aircraft taking off. TORA begins at the start of the runway surface usable for takeoff and ends at the point beyond which the runway is no longer suitable for the takeoff roll. It is one of four declared distances published by the airport authority, alongside TODA (Takeoff Distance Available), ASDA (Accelerate-Stop Distance Available), and LDA (Landing Distance Available).
Plain English
The amount of paved runway you actually have to roll on during takeoff before the wheels need to be off the ground. It tells you how much usable runway is in front of you for the ground portion of takeoff.
Context Anchor
Seen in departure procedure information, runway data, and takeoff performance planning when runway length affects whether a departure can be made safely.
Why Pilots Care
It directly limits maximum takeoff weight and determines whether the airplane can safely depart on the available pavement.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “available” means all pavement you can see. In TORA, “available” means officially declared usable for the takeoff run.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the pilot checked the airport's declared distances and confirmed the TORA was sufficient for the calculated takeoff roll at the aircraft's weight.
Example Sentence 2
Before accepting the intersection departure we confirmed the remaining TORA was still sufficient for our weight.