AINsight: What To Do before and after a Rejected Takeoff | Aviation International News

AINsight: What To Do before and after a Rejected Takeoff

Performing a rejected takeoff is the easy part, but pre- and post-incident requires more thought

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

December 23, 2025

Rejected takeoffs (RTOs) are a non-normal maneuver that all professional pilots routinely practice and are formally assessed during both initial and recurrent training sessions. In the simulator, there is a lot of focus on the decision-making leading up to the RTO and the actual maneuver of getting the aircraft stopped on the runway—often overlooked is what to do after the RTO on the runway and back on the ramp.

Outside of the simulator, RTOs are rare in line operations. An RTO is an event where a takeoff is aborted and the aircraft is brought to a stop during the takeoff roll. RTOs include three phases: planning and briefing, actions during the maneuver, and post-RTO tasks.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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