An abbreviation for rejected takeoff, an emergency procedure where the flight crew intentionally stops the aircraft during its acceleration down the runway. This maneuver is typically executed due to an engine failure, system warning, or blown tire before reaching the critical V1 speed. Performing this action at high speeds puts immense thermal stress on the wheel brakes, often requiring a mandatory cooling period or maintenance inspection before another attempt.
Heard on the job
Tower, Flight 412 is executing an RTO due to a master caution light, we'll be stopping on the runway.
Insider tip
A high-speed RTO near V1 will almost certainly melt the thermal fuse plugs in the aircraft wheels, safely deflating the tires to prevent a catastrophic blowout.
Also heard as
- aborted takeoff