PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why are thrust reversers ineffective at low speed?
Old 29th April 2003 | 21:28
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: ATPL
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From: Ex-pat Aussie in the UK
Force (Thrust) = mass times acceleration.

As the mass is constant, if the acceleration is reducing, then the thrust from the thrust reversers must also be reducing at lower speed.

-> speculation : as the aircraft's airspeed reduces, the ram effect reduces, reducing thrust. Slowing below 80-odd knots, the thrust reverser plume actually runs forward of the intake, starving the engine of air, and significantly reducing the engine's thrust output. Acceleration (decceleration) reduces accordingly.
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