Thrust


The force which imparts a change in the velocity of a mass. This force is measured in pounds but has no element of time or rate. The term “thrust required” is generally associated with jet engines. A forward force which propels the airplane through the air.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (definition from the FAA-H-8083-25B, 2016; current: FAA-H-8083-25C, 2023, with the October 2025 addendum).

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Glossary last updated 2024-07-25.