Overview
In aviation, assisted takeoff is any external system for helping aircraft to become airborne for flight, as opposed to doing so conventionally using strictly their own propulsion. The reasons assistance might be needed include: the combined weight of the aircraft and its payloads exceeding the maximum takeoff weight; insufficient engine power by design or malfunction, insufficient available runway length, or a combination of the above. Assisted takeoff is also required for gliders, which do not have any engine and thus are unable to propel themselves for takeoffs.