Runway Overrun Prevention How ROP works, from final approach to the end of the rollout

What ROP does

A runway overrun usually starts minutes before touchdown: a fast or high approach, a long flare, a tailwind, a wet runway. Each factor alone is manageable. Together they can consume more runway than is available, and the crew often only realises it once the aircraft is already slowing down too late.

Overrun prevention closes that gap. It continuously compares the distance the aircraft needs to stop, based on its weight, speed, configuration and the runway, with the distance actually left. When the two no longer fit, it tells the crew what to do next.

A note on names

Airbus calls its system ROPS, the Runway Overrun Prevention System. It has two parts: Runway Overrun Warning (ROW) in the air, and Runway Overrun Protection (ROP) on the ground. Other manufacturers use their own names. On this page and in vRAAS², "ROP" is used as a general name for the whole idea, approach and rollout together.

On approach: runway overrun warning

On short final, the system checks whether the aircraft can stop on the runway ahead. If it cannot, an alert such as RUNWAY TOO SHORT or a go-around command gives the crew a clear trigger to abandon the landing, while a go-around is still the easy option. Some versions of the Airbus system also give an early IF WET: RUNWAY TOO SHORT advisory when the landing only works on a dry runway.

On the rollout: braking and reverse

After touchdown, the system keeps predicting the stopping point. If the aircraft will not stop in time, it calls for more deceleration in steps: MAX BRAKING when braking is not enough, then SET MAX REVERSE and KEEP MAX REVERSE so reverse thrust is not cancelled too early. Boeing style logic uses calls such as SPEEDBRAKE and MAX BRAKES, MAX REVERSE.

Airbus describes its system, including how it evolved through Step 2 and Step 2+, in Safety First: Further preventing runway overrun.

Autobrake monitoring

A related trap is an autobrake that disconnects during the rollout, for example after an accidental pedal input. An AUTOBRAKE OFF callout catches it before the aircraft reaches taxi speed.

ROP and RAAS

RAAS and overrun prevention are separate systems that complement each other. RAAS tells the crew where they are and how much runway is left. Overrun prevention predicts whether that is enough. vRAAS² combines both. See What is RAAS? for the full picture.

Runway Overrun Prevention in MSFS 2024

vRAAS² brings ROP to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, with approach and rollout advisories that follow Airbus and Boeing style logic. ROP needs aircraft specific data, so it is enabled through tuned aircraft profiles. These aircraft have ROP today: