Rejected (Aborted) Takeoff
A rejected takeoff is the decision to abort the takeoff while still on the ground because of an abnormality — an engine that is not making full power, a warning, a door popping open, an animal on the runway. The key is a pre-briefed abort decision point and a prompt, controlled stop on the runway.
Step by step
- 1Before takeoff, brief the abort: the conditions that will cause you to reject and the point on the runway by which you must be airborne or stopping.
- 2During the takeoff roll, monitor engine instruments and airspeed; if an abort condition occurs before the decision point, reject.
- 3Smoothly but promptly close the throttle to idle.
- 4Apply braking as needed and maintain directional control on the centerline with rudder.
- 5Retract flaps (per POH) to put more weight on the wheels for braking if stopping distance is critical.
- 6Bring the airplane to a controlled stop on the runway; clear the runway and run the appropriate checklist.
Tips & common errors
- Decide your abort point BEFORE you roll — an abort decision made for the first time at 60 knots is too late.
- Power to idle, brakes, directional control — keep it straight and stop on the runway.
- Common error: a slow/indecisive reaction, or losing directional control during heavy braking.
- When airborne already, it is a go-around, not a reject — do not try to put a flying airplane back down to abort.
ACS completion standards
The commonly-tested tolerances for this maneuver. Always confirm the current ACS for your certificate.
- Make a timely abort decision based on pre-briefed criteria.
- Close the throttle promptly, maintain directional control, and stop the airplane safely on the runway.
- Complete the appropriate checklist after stopping.
FAA source
FAA-S-ACS-6 (Private) / FAA-S-ACS-7 (Commercial), Task: Rejected Takeoff (Normal Takeoff and Climb / Emergency); Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3, Chapters 6 & 18.
This is an original, plain-English study summary grounded in the public-domain FAA Airman Certification Standards and FAA handbooks cited above. It is a study aid, not flight instruction, and not a substitute for the official ACS, the handbooks, your aircraft’s POH/AFM, or a certificated flight instructor.
Related maneuvers
- Emergency DescentAn emergency descent is a maximum-rate descent to get the airplane down quickly — for example after an onboard fire, a pressurization problem, or a need to reach the surface fast. You configure for the highest safe descent rate (per the POH) while keeping the airplane under control and within limits.
- Emergency Approach & Landing (Engine Failure / Power-Off)After a (simulated) engine failure, you must fly the airplane, pick the best landing site, glide to it, attempt a restart with the checklist, and set up a power-off approach. The priorities, in order, are: fly the airplane (best glide), navigate to a landing area, and run the checklist/communicate.
- Systems & Equipment MalfunctionsYou must recognize and respond to in-flight system failures — electrical, vacuum/pitot-static, engine roughness, gear/flap problems, smoke/fire, etc. The examiner assesses whether you analyze the problem correctly, take the proper corrective action, use the checklist, and exercise sound judgment (including diverting or landing).
- Rectangular CourseThe rectangular course teaches you to fly a constant, equal distance from a square or rectangular ground feature while correcting for wind. It directly simulates the airport traffic pattern, so it builds the division of attention and wind-drift correction you use on every approach.
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