Can any non-Russian plane do this?
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Can any non-Russian plane do this?
...or is it just a Russian thing? Secondly, has anybody ever done this?
Last edited by Check Airman; 10th Feb 2013 at 20:04.
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Yes, even in production planes can do that. For example the 737 can open the reversers below 10ft RA. Not recommended at all and bloody dangerous. Still did it in my very early years and it was the smoothest greaser i ever did... If only one opens it is most probably game over.
And I believe a lot of Ruskie aircraft need to because they have so much residual thrust- A mate jump seated in a "Biz Jet" version of one of their three-engined aircraft, and was amazed to see they put the centere engine in reserse at TOD- otherwise the thing wouldn't descend!
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On the 727 one can use the reversers anytime you want*. I never used them except after touchdown, except for screwing around in the sim.
Technically, as there is no WOW or squat switch that needs to be made to allow the reversers to work.
In fact, I never heard of anyone every using them in flight.
Technically, as there is no WOW or squat switch that needs to be made to allow the reversers to work.
In fact, I never heard of anyone every using them in flight.
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Very interesting indeed. The C17 and C5 don't surprise me. I am surprised that the 727 can do it though. If the 737 can do it below 10ft RA, I imagine most company manuals prohibit it?
The DC8 had no in-flight speedbrakes so reversers were used for emergency descent. The amount of reverse thrust and which reversers could be deployed varied from model to model and engine type. I was familiar with a JT3D powered version (50 series) that could attain near full reverse thrust on the inboards and idle reverse on the outboards when airborne. I only ever saw one deploy reversers prior to touchdown - a Swissair DC8-62 landing on 31 at Kai Tak was fast over the fence and the reversers were seen deploying with the main gear a few feet off the ground.
BEA Tridents seem to routinely select reverse before touchdown.
BEA Tridents seem to routinely select reverse before touchdown.
If the 737 can do it below 10ft RA, I imagine most company manuals prohibit it?
It's just meant to ensure REV is available straight after touchdown.
Wouldn't be suprised if the PF of the Aircraft in the video THOUGHT he was down.
Last edited by Wizofoz; 11th Feb 2013 at 17:25.
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The CV990 (Coronado) could deploy the 4 reverses in flight for fast descents. That was SOP.
I have witnessed inboards reverses being selected on APP to reduce speed .
Knowing the airline ( Spantax) I am not sure it that was SOP or improvisation , but it worked well .
I have witnessed inboards reverses being selected on APP to reduce speed .
Knowing the airline ( Spantax) I am not sure it that was SOP or improvisation , but it worked well .
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If the 737 can do it below 10ft RA,
On the B732 version I flew there was a squat switch on the nose gear to prevent this. I don't know if it was a company option or standard. It seemed a good idea, because on bucket reversers ground contact as the a/c reared onto its haunches was a real threat; there-after the tail. I suspect the same tail strike hazard is alive & well on later versions with by-pass engines. And why would you want to anyway? if you're floating, and depending on the length of hard pan left in front of you, then either drop a wing to contact one wheel or scare yourself and squeeze the speed brake open a touch. Ultimately go-around. Still possible with the last 2 options but not after TR's have been activated.
On the B732 version I flew there was a squat switch on the nose gear to prevent this. I don't know if it was a company option or standard. It seemed a good idea, because on bucket reversers ground contact as the a/c reared onto its haunches was a real threat; there-after the tail. I suspect the same tail strike hazard is alive & well on later versions with by-pass engines. And why would you want to anyway? if you're floating, and depending on the length of hard pan left in front of you, then either drop a wing to contact one wheel or scare yourself and squeeze the speed brake open a touch. Ultimately go-around. Still possible with the last 2 options but not after TR's have been activated.