Plain English Meaning

A small air jet aimed at the ground in front of a jet engine that disrupts the spinning column of air which would otherwise act like a vacuum cleaner and suck debris off the ramp into the engine.

Full Definition

A device that directs a jet of high-pressure bleed air from the engine downward toward the ground in front of the engine inlet to break up the suction vortex that can form between a low-slung jet engine and the ramp surface, preventing loose objects from being drawn into the engine.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of jet engine ground operation and prevention of damage from loose objects on ramps, taxiways, and runways.