Reverse thrust at STN / EGSS
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: UK
Reverse thrust at STN / EGSS
With regard to landing at Stansted, do operators generally apply reverse thrust for a set period of time (e.g. 20 secs no matter what the conditions) or is it generally only applied until normal taxi speed is reached? In either case, what would be a 'typical' duration for the use of reverse on your type of a/c when landing at STN?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Northport, NW England
My companies SOP is to use reverse Idle. Until 60kts at all airfields unless otherwise briefied. Capt has right to use more if he/she wants.
We all try and abide by the noise police rules but falling the off the end of the runway is alot noisier usually.
We all try and abide by the noise police rules but falling the off the end of the runway is alot noisier usually.
Joined: May 2000
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From: Seattle
Depends on the airplane and the operator...
Our 747 manuals tell us reverse as needed down to 80 KIAS, idle reverse by 60 KIAS, out of reverse by taxi speed. 60 KIAS is also our max for using a "high speed" exit taxiway, and 20 knots ground speed for normal taxi. So, out of reverse by 60 or 20 knots, depending on the situation...
Our 747 manuals tell us reverse as needed down to 80 KIAS, idle reverse by 60 KIAS, out of reverse by taxi speed. 60 KIAS is also our max for using a "high speed" exit taxiway, and 20 knots ground speed for normal taxi. So, out of reverse by 60 or 20 knots, depending on the situation...
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: UK
Well ther's a journo / NIMBY query if ever there was one 
Selecting Reverse for a certain number of seconds 
Thanks to the others for their answers though
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Essex
I think you are all being a little bit too harsh. Its a tech question in a tech forum. Albeit from someone outside the industry (im guessing).
The answer is, unless your operator has a policy of using reverse idle (i.e. opening the reverser doors but not using any power, most airlines will promptly select reverse after touchdown, then continue to use it until reaching a certain speed. Usually from 100kts down to latest taxy speed.
At STN, RYR policy is to use idle reverse on the last flight of the day.
The answer is, unless your operator has a policy of using reverse idle (i.e. opening the reverser doors but not using any power, most airlines will promptly select reverse after touchdown, then continue to use it until reaching a certain speed. Usually from 100kts down to latest taxy speed.
At STN, RYR policy is to use idle reverse on the last flight of the day.
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Florida
Believe it or not, I heard a rumour that one airline's SOP was to select reverse for a fixed number of seconds, which was what prompted me to post the question to you guys and gals!
Reverse thrust is also defined by the amount of thrust. If you use too much thrust below 60kts then the eflux will crawl forward of the engine inlet and lift stuff off the runway for the engine to run into.
Time is not a parameter in its use.
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: flyover country USA
When I worked flt ops a few decades back, Boeing insisted on max reverse ASAP after t/d until safe stop was assured. This may have been a 747-unique practice for pilots unused to the eyeball altitude in a 747 at touchdown; Better safe than sorry.
Is this still the case?
Is this still the case?
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Scotland
I remember jumpseating on BA 757's into Aberdeen many times, and it was quite common for the captain to brief along the lines of "if I land near the TDZ we'll go idle reverse, land long and go full reverse!". I also recall on one occasion when a shower had just gone through, full reverse was planned anyway, and the pax told not to be alarmed about the increased noise or if they felt their necks coming apart! Obviously the length (or lack of) hard surface had a bearing in that... But wherever an aircraft is landing, I think the pilot can judge on touchdown how much or little reverse he / she requires to operate the aircraft safely and adjust as necessary on the roll out regardless of SOP's?
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: UK
Is it not the case that use of reverse thrust is not factored into Landing Distance required? (Rhetorical question, it is not.)
Therefore that aircraft will stop as per the "book" regardless of reverse use, be it full, idle or none at all.
Boeing, at least, uses an autobrake logic to stop the aircraft using a fixed level of deceleration, and all reverse does is to relieve some of the load on the brakes. It has no effect whatsoever on landing distance.
It may be that other manufacturers use a different logic, but in a Boeing (probably 70% of traffic at STN) use of reverse will not affect landing distance - unless, of course, the tyre adhesion can't cope, as in contaminated conditions, when it could make a significant difference.
Why, then, use reverse at all, you may ask. Simple. $$$
Less work for the brakes means brakesets last longer, and brakesets cost big money. Idle reverse makes no more noise than no reverse which is why many airlines use idle only - saves dosh, saves wear and tear with no noise penalty, = win win for a change!
Ps. To all those who say in a pre-landing brief, "runway is short so I'll use 70% reverse" think again, just as "runway is wet/slippery so I'll use autobrake 3". Think about it. Just ain't logical!
Therefore that aircraft will stop as per the "book" regardless of reverse use, be it full, idle or none at all.
Boeing, at least, uses an autobrake logic to stop the aircraft using a fixed level of deceleration, and all reverse does is to relieve some of the load on the brakes. It has no effect whatsoever on landing distance.
It may be that other manufacturers use a different logic, but in a Boeing (probably 70% of traffic at STN) use of reverse will not affect landing distance - unless, of course, the tyre adhesion can't cope, as in contaminated conditions, when it could make a significant difference.
Why, then, use reverse at all, you may ask. Simple. $$$
Less work for the brakes means brakesets last longer, and brakesets cost big money. Idle reverse makes no more noise than no reverse which is why many airlines use idle only - saves dosh, saves wear and tear with no noise penalty, = win win for a change!
Ps. To all those who say in a pre-landing brief, "runway is short so I'll use 70% reverse" think again, just as "runway is wet/slippery so I'll use autobrake 3". Think about it. Just ain't logical!
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Florida
Why, then, use reverse at all, you may ask. Simple. $$$
Less work for the brakes means brakesets last longer, and brakesets cost big money. Idle reverse makes no more noise than no reverse which is why many airlines use idle only - saves dosh, saves wear and tear with no noise penalty, = win win for a change!
Less work for the brakes means brakesets last longer, and brakesets cost big money. Idle reverse makes no more noise than no reverse which is why many airlines use idle only - saves dosh, saves wear and tear with no noise penalty, = win win for a change!
It costs a lot more in maintenance to service reversers then it does brakes.
However I do agree that if you are going to be using the reverser at all it does save on brakes.
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: The No Transgression Zone
70% reverse
---all or {IDUL retardation thrust} --not 'nothing'---
---for me [see edits]
what about full manual emergency braking?---you'd all be using full reverse in such a situation I guarantee
PA
---all or {IDUL retardation thrust} --not 'nothing'------for me [see edits]what about full manual emergency braking?---you'd all be using full reverse in such a situation I guarantee
PA
Last edited by Pugilistic Animus; 29th June 2008 at 07:49. Reason: to add the word 'idle'---in lieu of the word 'nothing'
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: f015
We use idle reverse as the norm on the 757/767. Saves fuel, we haven't been told to cost of brake wear etc.
The variation on that would be v.short runways or where the ambient temperature is high and the brake cooling schedule would affect the 1hour turnround time.
We are encouraged to single engine taxi in, SETI. Using idle reverse means that the engines require less cooling time before shutdown.
The variation on that would be v.short runways or where the ambient temperature is high and the brake cooling schedule would affect the 1hour turnround time.
We are encouraged to single engine taxi in, SETI. Using idle reverse means that the engines require less cooling time before shutdown.
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: In a house
In answer to you're question,
"I'll use 'em for as long as i like, as hard as i like, and as much as i like, cos i'm the fu****g captain!!"
Have a look at www.youtube and search for yorkshire air, Bloody funny!!
"I'll use 'em for as long as i like, as hard as i like, and as much as i like, cos i'm the fu****g captain!!"
Have a look at www.youtube and search for yorkshire air, Bloody funny!!
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Manchester, UK
