Originally Posted by
Centaurus
The above argument would suggest having a reverse thrust system at all is a very expensive exercise in poor cost effectiveness. Why haven't the manufacturers realized this and built their aircraft without reverse thrust? Save millions of $$$ in maintenance costs. OK - reverse might be handy on slippery runways when wheel braking efficiency is reduced but it could be cost effective to accept that risk.
Not sure if this true or not but heard it few times now......the A380 was originally designed with no T/Rev, but it was the regulators who said that it had to have it as the design spec for that standard of aircraft dictated it and so it was installed on the inboards to satisfy them.