Run-up (aviation)

In aviation, run-up, or runup, is the series of last-minute checks performed by pilots on an aircraft prior to take-off.

The term run-up alludes to engine checks that involve temporarily advancing the throttles to ensure that engines are capable of producing take-off thrust, although not all run-up procedures involve such checks.

They exist because air blast from engine verification may cause problems for other aircraft or structures, so a special area where such checks will do no harm is set aside for them.

They also allow aircraft to temporarily leave taxiways so that they don't obstruct ground traffic while the run-up is performed.

[1] In late March 2020, an American Eagle CRJ doing an engine run-up caused a hangar to flip and land on its roof while also damaging two privately owned aircraft at San Luis Obispo airport.