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Old 3rd Jul 2008, 18:54
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Rainboe
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Although you do hear aeroplanes using reverse power sometimes, they shouldn't reaally be using it. It is standard policy for noise reasons to only use idle reverse, so high reverse power is quickly available if needed (translation from idle forward to idle reverse can take several seconds before high reverse power is available). It is not only for noise reasons- also maintenance cost. Reverse power for bigger engines is difficult to engineer reliably, and very prone to breakdown. The maintenance cost is high. As a result, brakes get more wear, but changing brake units on planes is far cheaper and simpler than keeping big fan reverse systems in order.
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