BAE 146 - Does it have a reverse thruster??

[SkyMed]

Hello

I would like to ask you good people about the story I have heard - albeit third hand concerning the BAE 146. I am stuck 110nm offshore from Scatsta on an oil production platform.

The story is that the BAE 146 on the first rotation this morning could not land due to snow being on the runway????

This aircraft type does not have reverse thrusters due to it's "whisper capability" and combined with the length of the runway at Scatsta, they are having to remove snow and grit the runway for the uprated braking to effect a safe stop!!

The knock on effect is a 2 hour delay before I get to Aberdeen and could possibly miss connections to London.

A lot of the offshore workers approve of the 146 as the previous ATP were very "tempermental"

Could it be true then about the reverse thrusters on the 146??

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Please don't tell me about my atrociuos spilling and poor gramar as I already know

regards

SkyMed

[moleslayer]

Yep, you are absolutely correct.....

No reversers are fitted to the 'Avro Lycoming'. .engines.Normally due to the fairly slow approach & touchdown speed,the aircraft has a very good short field landing performance.

The brakes are quite powerful & are fitted with very efficient cooling fans.

However,once it starts snowing <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

[spekesoftly]

AFAIK the BAe146 is not fitted with reverse thrust. Whether or not another similar sized aircraft, with reverse thrust, could have landed at Scatsta in the circumstances you descibe, is another question!

Hope you get home soon!

[Kerosene Kraut]

Anyway- Landing distances are calculated without reverse working aren't they?

[whatbolt]

It is true that 146s/RJs are not fitted with thrust reversers-and braking is provided by 4 very efficient carbon brakes-even if only 3 are working it still stops well. There is also a lift dumper at the back which opens just before landing. The problem is that if there is snow on the runway doesnt matter how good the braking is the wheels wont grip. Prop driven aircraft (ATPs) can make a better job of it because the prop can provide some of the braking action that the wheel brakes might not be able to give in contaminated runway conditions. The secret is to keep the runway deiced which costs a fortune in spray and equipment and sometimes even with the best gear the airport authorities just have to wait untill the weather clears up a bit.

[moleslayer]

KK.......

That's true for a dry or wet rwy,but some types assume the use of reverse thrust if fluid contaminated.

[UKpaxman]

Skymed,

Hope you've left now as it's snowing again as Scatsta <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

[spekesoftly]

Hi 'what bolt'. .I don't wish to get too far off topic, but could you clarify "lift dumper at the back" please? I thought that the lift dump on the 146 is primarily a combination of large flaps and spoilers, over and under the main wing surfaces, that can open extra wide to dump the lift on touch down. The rear petal shaped airbrake would provide additional drag, but not directly reduce (dump) lift?

I also believe that the ATP is not able to land on a flooded (by ICAO definition) Runway, when many other types continue to operate.

[ 25 January 2002: Message edited by: spekesoftly ]</p>

[SkyMed]

Thank you all so much.

Sadly - I am still stuck offshore, but news that the big budgie is somewhere on it's way to the field.

To add salt to the wound - I called BA and asked how much a seat down to London and they wanted £166.00 - one way. Thank you but NO THANK YOU.

SO after being delayed, more snow on the ground, hanging around offshore, and if I am lucky - getting into ABZ late, it only means a few beers in Speedbird tonight before I travel down to the smog.

Sometimes I wonder if this job is ever worth it??? Anyway it pays for my flying.

Thanks for all your replies.

regards

SkyMed

[Kerosene Kraut]

Thanks Moley.. .KK

[moleslayer]

There are 4 spoilers on each wing upper surface.3 lift spoilers & 1 roll spoiler,all hydraulically powered.. .The lift spoilers are for ground use only,and are selected by a combined 'Airbrake'/'Lift Spoiler'lever.. .The'Airbrake'is the pair of vertically separated petals located at the split tail cone.. .On approach for landing the Airbrakes can be selected to any position between IN or OUT using the lever located on the central console,this provides for a 'Thrust'vs'Drag'configuration leading to a 'Stable' approach.. .After touchdown,the lever is moved rearwards thro'a detent into the 'Lift Splr' position.. .The 6 spoiler panels are then raised to destroy the remaining lift generated by the wings,and allow the full weight of the aircraft to settle on to the maingear,so assisting the breaking effort.

[spekesoftly]

Thanks Moley. .speke

[whatbolt]

MOLEY-thanks -I was just trying to give a very simplfied quick answer-cheers