Understanding the Aviation Term 'Retard'
When you hear the term 'retard' in the context of aviation, it is crucial to understand that it refers to a specific, technical command related to engine thrust during landing. This term is not used in its common, offensive slang sense. Instead, it signifies the precise moment when pilots must move the thrust levers to their idle position. This action is fundamental to controlling the aircraft's speed and ensuring a safe touchdown and rollout on the runway. Pilots are trained extensively on this procedure, as its timing directly impacts aircraft deceleration and stability after crossing the threshold.
- 'Retard' in aviation means reducing engine thrust to idle.
- It is a critical command during the landing rollout phase.
- The term is technical and distinct from its common slang meaning.
- Proper timing of 'retard' is vital for safe aircraft deceleration.
The pilot's primary role during landing is to manage the aircraft's descent and subsequent deceleration. As the airplane approaches the runway, thrust is managed to maintain a stable glide path. Upon touchdown, the goal shifts to slowing the aircraft down safely and effectively. This involves a sequence of actions, with the 'retard' command being one of the most important. It signals the transition from powered flight into a state of controlled deceleration, preparing the aircraft for braking and eventual taxiing.
Understanding this technical usage prevents confusion and highlights the precision involved in flying. The word itself, while carrying negative connotations in general society, functions here as a direct, unambiguous instruction for a critical mechanical action. The 'retard' command ensures that engine power is immediately reduced to a minimum setting once the aircraft is safely on the ground, preventing excessive speed and potential loss of control.
The Critical Role of 'Retard' in Landing
Why is the 'retard' command so important during an airplane's landing? The answer lies in the physics of flight and the operational demands of bringing a heavy, fast-moving aircraft to a safe stop. Once the wheels are firmly on the runway, the aircraft's primary means of slowing down become reverse thrust (if equipped and deployed), wheel braking, and aerodynamic drag. However, all these systems require the engines to be at or near idle power. If the engines are still producing significant thrust, they will counteract the braking forces, leading to a much longer stopping distance and increased risk.
The 'retard' command is typically given by the pilot flying (PF) to the pilot monitoring (PM) at a specific point during the landing rollout. This point is usually when the aircraft's main landing gear has contacted the runway, or just milliseconds after. The PM, often seated in the right seat, is responsible for physically moving the thrust levers to the 'idle' or 'retard' position on the engine control quadrant. This action is a precise maneuver that must be executed without delay to maximize the effectiveness of other deceleration methods.
Timing is Everything: The Landing Rollout Sequence
The sequence of events during a landing rollout is meticulously choreographed:
- Touchdown: The aircraft's main landing gear makes contact with the runway surface.
- 'Retard' Command: The Pilot Flying calls for 'retard' once touchdown is confirmed or imminent.
- Lever Movement: The Pilot Monitoring moves the thrust levers to the designated 'retard' or 'idle' gate.
- Reverse Thrust Deployment: If engaged, the thrust reversers deploy automatically or are manually activated by the PM.
- Brake Application: The Pilot Flying applies the wheel brakes as needed.
The 'retard' position on the throttle quadrant is often marked distinctly, sometimes with the word 'RETARD' itself, or simply as the lowest position before the 'idle' stop. It signifies the point where the engines spool down to their minimum power setting, which is typically just enough to maintain engine stability and prevent them from shutting down completely. This minimum power is significantly less than what is required for takeoff or cruise flight.
Why Not Use Another Word?
The choice of the word 'retard' in aviation terminology, especially for a command that seems counterintuitive given its common negative meaning, has roots in the historical development of aviation and the need for unambiguous commands. In early aviation, as aircraft became more complex and speeds increased, clear, concise, and internationally recognized terminology was essential. The term 'retard' was adopted to describe the action of decreasing engine power, particularly during landing and in certain other phases like go-arounds (where engines are spooled up from a lower power setting).
The verb 'to retard' historically means to slow down or to delay. In this technical context, it directly describes the effect of reducing engine thrust on the aircraft's forward motion. While language evolves and sensitivities change, aviation standards often retain terms that have a long history of clear, functional use to avoid introducing new points of confusion, especially in high-stakes situations. The term 'retard' is universally understood by pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide within this specific technical framework.
The adoption of 'retard' in aviation signifies a precise, technical action to reduce engine power, not a general instruction for slowing down.
The aviation industry relies heavily on established procedures and terminology that have been proven safe and effective over decades. While 'idle' is the common term for the engine's lowest power setting in general, 'retard' specifically denotes the action of moving the levers to that setting during a critical phase of flight. This ensures that the command is instantly recognizable and linked to the immediate, required pilot action during the dynamic process of landing.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
The most significant misconception surrounding the term 'retard' on an airplane stems from its prevalence as offensive slang in everyday conversation. Many people are unaware that aviation uses this word technically and have never encountered it in its professional context. This can lead to shock or confusion when the term is heard, especially for passengers who might overhear cockpit communications or read about aviation procedures.
It is vital to reiterate that the use of 'retard' in aviation is purely functional and technical. It is an instruction to move the thrust levers to the 'idle' position, or a designated 'retard' gate, which is the lowest power setting for the engines. This action is essential for deceleration. The word itself, in this context, is descriptive of the outcome: retarding the aircraft's forward speed. It is never used to describe a person or as a general insult.
What is NOT meant by 'retard' in aviation:
- Any reference to a person's intelligence or capabilities.
- A general command to slow down without specifying engine power.
- An insult or derogatory remark.
The aviation industry prioritizes clarity and safety above all else. Terminology is chosen for its precision and lack of ambiguity in critical operational scenarios. While the word 'retard' might be uncomfortable due to its common usage, its technical meaning in aviation is distinct and well-understood by professionals. Pilots and crew are trained to use and interpret these terms within their specific operational context, ensuring that safety protocols are maintained.
If you ever hear 'retard' in an aviation context, remember it's about engine levers, not people. The focus is always on precise control and safety during flight operations.
Beyond the Landing: Other Aviation Uses
While the 'retard' command is most famously associated with the landing rollout, the concept of reducing engine thrust to a lower, controlled setting appears in other phases of flight. These instances also emphasize precision and safety, often involving specific throttle gate positions or pilot actions to manage aircraft performance.
One such scenario is during a go-around or missed approach. If a landing is aborted, pilots must quickly increase engine power. However, after a prolonged period on approach with engines at a low setting, the engines may have cooled down. To prevent engine surge or damage from a sudden, maximum power application, pilots might first move the thrust levers to the 'retard' or 'idle' position to allow the engines to stabilize before advancing them to go-around thrust. This ensures a smooth and safe transition to climbing power.
Ferry Flights and Repositioning
Although less common, the term might also appear in discussions related to ferry flights or aircraft repositioning. A ferry flight is one where an aircraft is moved from one location to another without passengers, often for maintenance or before a scheduled service. In some specific operational contexts, a 'ferry flight' might involve less demanding engine settings or procedures, and while not a direct 'retard' command, the principle of managing power settings for efficiency or specific flight profiles is consistent.
Similarly, a 'ferry flight' is distinct from a 'ferry flight' in a broader sense where it might refer to a type of passenger transport, like a car ferry. In aviation, it's purely about moving the aircraft. Understanding these different contexts, like the specific meaning of a 'ferry flight' or the concept of an 'inaugural flight' (the first flight of a new route or aircraft), helps clarify specialized aviation terminology.
The principle of carefully managing engine power settings, often involving moving levers to specific gates like 'retard' or 'idle,' is fundamental to safe and efficient aviation operations across various flight phases. It highlights that 'retard' is not an isolated term but part of a broader language of precise pilot control.
Ensuring Safe Operation: Pilot Training and Procedures
The consistent and safe application of the 'retard' command, along with all other flight procedures, is underpinned by rigorous pilot training and standardized operating procedures. Flight schools and airlines invest heavily in equipping pilots with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage every aspect of flight, especially during critical phases like landing.
Pilot training involves extensive simulator sessions where trainees practice landings under various conditions, including normal operations, adverse weather, and emergency scenarios. These simulations allow pilots to repeatedly execute the 'retard' command, experiencing its immediate effect on aircraft deceleration and learning to judge the precise timing required for different aircraft types and runway conditions. The goal is to ingrain the correct responses so they become automatic, even under stress.
Standardization and Checklists
Aviation relies heavily on standardization. The 'retard' command and the associated movement of the thrust levers are part of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for virtually every commercial aircraft type. These SOPs are detailed in the aircraft's Flight Manual and are reinforced through recurrent training.
Checklists are another critical component. Pilots use checklists before, during, and after flights to ensure that no vital step is overlooked. The 'landing checklist' will typically include steps related to configuring the aircraft for landing, and the 'after touchdown' checklist will often prompt actions related to reducing thrust, which includes the 'retard' command. This systematic approach minimizes the risk of human error.
Always listen to the flight crew's instructions; they are trained experts who manage complex procedures to ensure your safety, including critical steps like the 'retard' command.
Beyond the 'retard' command itself, pilots also consider factors like runway condition (wet or dry), the presence of braking action reports, and the aircraft's weight to determine the appropriate braking strategy following the reduction of thrust. While the 'retard' command is a specific point in the landing sequence, the overall deceleration process is a complex interplay of multiple systems and pilot inputs, all managed with the ultimate goal of a safe stop.
The Future of Aviation Terminology
As language and societal norms evolve, the aviation industry occasionally reviews its terminology to ensure clarity, safety, and, where appropriate, inclusivity. While the term 'retard' has a long-standing, well-defined technical meaning that pilots understand, discussions about its public perception do arise. However, changing deeply ingrained operational terms is a complex process that requires careful consideration of potential safety implications.
Any proposed change would need to undergo rigorous evaluation by aviation authorities and manufacturers. The primary concern is that a new term or phrase might introduce ambiguity or require extensive retraining, potentially compromising safety during the critical phases of flight where such commands are used. The history of aviation safety shows that established, unambiguous terminology, even if it seems dated or unusual to outsiders, often takes precedence over linguistic trends if it has proven effective and safe over time.
Maintaining Clarity and Safety
For the foreseeable future, 'retard' is likely to remain a standard aviation term. Its meaning is precisely understood by all flight crew members and air traffic controllers, and it is directly linked to a specific, crucial action involving the engine thrust levers. The focus remains on the functional aspect: reducing engine power to idle during landing rollout for safe deceleration.
While the general public might find the term jarring, it is essential to respect its technical context within aviation. The diligence of pilot training, the robustness of standardized procedures, and the commitment to safety ensure that terms like 'retard' continue to serve their vital purpose without compromising the security of air travel. Understanding these terms demystifies aviation and highlights the sophisticated, safety-conscious environment of air travel.