Jet aircrafts reversing by own its own power

[tankahn]

My friend was chatting with some SIA pilots recently as he ask them about jet aircrafts reversing by its own power while on ground. An old sailor, he saw it done in Koh Samui, Thailand and even asked the co-pilot about it then. The SQ pilots (one who happens also to be a flight instructor) says its impossible. I am in the middle since there is such a thing call "thrusts reversal" but deliberately doing it instead of using a tow tug looks dangerous and costly for jet engines engines. Hope this forum can shed some light.

[Skipness One Echo]

It can be done on an empty aircraft or a lightly loaded one but as soon as you try to stop by tapping the brakes going back the way, there's a good chance you can put the aircraft onto it's tail. Ooops!

[forget]

It can be done on an empty aircraft or a lightly loaded

And full ones. It was used routinely in the US by DC9s, 727s, high engined aircraft.

[Avman]

It was used routinely in the US by DC9s, 727s, high engined aircraft.

I can confirm having experienced this several times in the U.S. on B727 equipment, although I have to say that on all occasions we were not anywhere near a full load.

[tb10er]

Aircraft reversing

I seem to recall seeing B737s doing this at New Orleans in the late 80s.

They were doing it from the stand before taxying.

[Groundloop]

Many years ago was on an Air Canada 727 at Toronto which pushed back from the gate this way. Noisy if you're sitting near the back of the cabin!

Video of Northwest DC-9 on YouTube here:-

YouTube - DC9 PUSH BACK WITH REVERSERS


Probably lots more as well if you search!

[treadigraph]

I seem to recall an Aeroflot IL-62 reversing off stand at Heathrow once, and various C-130s and a C-17 demonstrating reverse gear at airshows. The C-17 was at Farnborough and did dab the brakes a bit forcefully - yep, nosewheel lifted off!

[Geezers of Nazareth]

I seem to recall an Aeroflot IL-62 reversing off stand at Heathrow once, and various C-130s and a C-17 demonstrating reverse gear at airshows. The C-17 was at Farnborough and did dab the brakes a bit forcefully - yep, nosewheel lifted off!

... but that's it's show-piece! Every C-17 that I seen doing a show-routine always includes that. Somewhere I've got a photo of it with the nosewheel off the ground.

Although not a jet, I'm sure Loganair at one point did powerbacks with the Twin Otter.

Relatively easy and straight-forward ('straight-backwards!') on a prop aircraft. I can remember seeing Vanguards (and Merchantmen) doing at Heathrow in the early 70s.

[22/04]

"Power back" standard practice on Northwest DC 9s at Minneapolis/StPaul; very noisy and a chap at the front rotated a pair of sticks for guidance

Hercules on military ops do it

And last summer Loganair Twin Otters at Glasgow.

[tankahn]

Thanks for the video. Settles the question for me. Thanks all for the illuminating thread.

[arem]

Had to do it a couple of times in a 707 at POS - failed to make the 180 on the runway after landing, so a 3 point turn was called for.

Seem to remember doing it once on base training at PIK on a 747-100 as well - great fun and remember to keep the feet off the brakes!!

[Cymmon]

DHC-7 dash-7 can do it easily.

YouTube - Wideroe demonstrating STOL and slow flight at Sola, Norway.

Been on Antonov 24īs that employed it regularly. Alma Ata, Tashkent, Dushanbe and Urgench.
The Il-62 at London Heathrow was (I believe) due to a strike at the airport, the Russian captain wanted back to his motherland.

[Groundloop]

Although not a jet, I'm sure Loganair at one point did powerbacks with the Twin Otter.

Don't Flybe currently do it with Q400s? I'm sure I've seen them doing it at SOU.

[FL370 Officeboy]

Don't Flybe currently do it with Q400s? I'm sure I've seen them doing it at SOU.

Nope...Q400s don't use reverse on the landing roll never mind the pushback! I can assure you that you didn't see a Q400 'powerback'.

As already stated, in the US it was a common sight with DC9s and MD80s.

[Curious Pax]

Originally Posted by Cymmon

The Il-62 at London Heathrow was (I believe) due to a strike at the airport, the Russian captain wanted back to his motherland.

Pretty sure that it was in the aftermath of the shooting down of the Korean 747 - the ground handlers refused to deal with Aeroflot, so this was the only way they could leave.

[JEM60]

Regular sight on BINTER ATR42 and 72s in the Canaries.

[Avman]

Reminds me, I once saw a Vanguard doing it at Brum. Kind of a 3 point turn due to some works on the apron (ramp for US readers).

[AerocatS2A]

DHC8 100, 200, 300 can all power back. Keep your feet on the floor and your hand off the tiller! When it's time to stop use power rather than brakes.

[holyflyer]

I seem to recall an Aeroflot IL-62 reversing off stand at Heathrow once

It happened during some cold war diplomatic spat (not sure it was the Korean 747 incident) but was shown on TV. Have a vague recollection of people on board not being able to leave the aircraft (Soviet territory etc). The IL62 had not been refuelled and only just had enough fuel to get to AMS. The version I was told was that it departed without a flight plan and limited contact with ATC - always doubted that was wholly true. It had been parked on the old Terminal Two remote stands so it backed out straight onto a taxiway running parallel to 23/05.

Regularly experienced reverse out of gates on Northwest DC9 and 727's at MSP during the late 80's and early 90's.

[Truck2005]

Used to be a regular thing on the lower numbers bays at Lyneham with the aircraft parked nose in for loading. You either were a clued up marshaller and stood out at the lefthand wing or a stupid one and stand on top of the revetment to marshall. Many a blokes feet seem disappearing over the back!!!!