Question about thrust reversers

[gawbc]

Is it me or has the use of thrust reversers decreased in recent years? Or is it just that I tend to sit at the back (or fly on prop planes a lot :-)

If it has reduced, why is that please?

[TURIN]

Brakes are better?
Tyres are better?
Runways are better?

Engine maintenance cycles?

The A380 doesn't even have T/Rs on the outboard engines.

[gawbc]

So it is true then?

[lomapaseo]

So it is true then?

I hope so, they are damn expensive if you use them more than you have to.

[gawbc]

Ha ha


:)

[mutt]

If it has reduced, Airlines have started to use the least amount of reverse thrust as part of their fuel conversation programs.

[16down2togo]

So what do they talk about with their fuel?

[Intruder]

If an airplane is equipped with carbon brakes, use of reverse thrust is less critical on a dry runway. Many airlines use reverse idle only, just to eliminate residual forward thrust. That saves engine wear, mainly due to reduced FOD ingestion potential.


16:

I suspect the conversation is about conservation...

[mockingjay]

It's mainly the brakes that slow you down anyway. There are a few places we have to use full reverse, but otherwise it is at the discretion of the captain.

If going into somewhere hot I'll always suggest using it if I'm pilot flying. If it's hot and your heavy you'll be flying faster and need more energy to stop. The ambient temperature also slows down the cooling of the brakes which can be an issue on short turnarounds.

A quick mention to the pax that they may hear a sudden increase in engine noise is often appreciated as full reverse is pretty rare.

[Airbanda]

A quick mention to the pax that they may hear a sudden increase in engine noise is often appreciated as full reverse is pretty rare.

Immediately after landing you may notice a marked increase in noise. This is quite normal and is due to the reverse thrust braking used on this type of aircraft.

Or similar words were used on Britannia's 737 fleet on the three or four occasion we holidayed with Thomson in the seventies.

[LadyL2013]

We made a pretty late landing at LGW last weekend in an A319 and for the first time in ages I felt the full whack of serious braking plus a good amount of reversers. Never been thrown forward in my seat quite like it. Turned off at the very last exit with them still on.

[PAXboy]

Some airports don't like Reverse so as to help keep noise down. persoannly, I think it's a GREAT sound! :}

[mockingjay]

Yes some places preclude the use of them except on the grounds of safety. It's usually covered in the brief before we start the approach. A long time since I've been there but I'm sure PRG used to get twitchy after a certain time.

[AeroSpark]

On a Boeing I know the reversers are opened by pulling the levers back over the top of the main throttle levers. I assume this position is idle reverse? If you want more reverse thrust is it just a case of opening the throttles more while the reversers are deployed?

[tdracer]

On a Boeing I know the reversers are opened by pulling the levers back over the top of the main throttle levers. I assume this position is idle reverse?


On Boeing, when you pull back the reverse "piggyback" lever you will hit the reverse interlock or "balk" which will prevent further movement of the lever until the reverser is (mostly) deployed - this is also known as the 'reverse idle detent'. Once the reverser is sufficiently deployed, the interlock will clear and you can advance reverse thrust past reverse idle.