Pilot/Controller Glossary
DELAY COUNTDOWN TIMER (DCT)
This reproduces published FAA reference text for study. It does not replace the current official FAA publication or regulation.
The display of the delay that must be absorbed by a flight prior to crossing a Meter Reference Element (MRE) to meet the TBFM Scheduled Time of Arrival (STA). It is calculated by taking the difference between the frozen STA and the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA).
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 18, 2026.