reverse before touch down
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Pegase Driver
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From: Europe
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From: DUS
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: UK
Is it true that the RAF TriStars could apply reverse thrust before landing? Many year ago I was told that they competed to make the shortest landing at Stanley airport using revers thrust after the Falklands War
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Asia
Back in the early 70's I saw a Swissair DC8-62 landing on runway 13 at Hong Kong Kai Tak with the reversers deploying well before touchdown (actually as it went passed the Aero Club which was where I was seated).. This was before the runway was lengthened and the aircraft looked a bit fast over the fence.
Also wasn't there an Alitalia DC8-62 written off at Sydney after a heavy landing because the pilot had selected reverse on the inboards in flight to expedite his descent and forgot about them until he tried to apply power on short finals?
Also wasn't there an Alitalia DC8-62 written off at Sydney after a heavy landing because the pilot had selected reverse on the inboards in flight to expedite his descent and forgot about them until he tried to apply power on short finals?
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From: Reading, UK
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Everett, WA
No current production Boeing Commercial Aircraft allows the selection of reverse until the air/ground logic has been satisfied. In the case of the 737 the use of radio altimeter may mean you're not quite on the ground - but deploying them before actual touchdown is not approved and can be very hard on the aircraft (and perhaps your flying career). When the reversers deploy, the efflux kills the lift on that wing (as we discovered very unpleasantly on Lauda) and the aircraft drops like a rock. Plus, if one reverser fails to deploy for some reason you're also going to get a nasty roll at a bad time.
I'm with sonicbum. While it was possible (and even approved) on some older aircraft types, it's a very, very bad idea to try it on any current Boeing.
I'm with sonicbum. While it was possible (and even approved) on some older aircraft types, it's a very, very bad idea to try it on any current Boeing.
Joined: May 2011
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From: NEW YORK
No current production Boeing Commercial Aircraft allows the selection of reverse until the air/ground logic has been satisfied. In the case of the 737 the use of radio altimeter may mean you're not quite on the ground - but deploying them before actual touchdown is not approved and can be very hard on the aircraft (and perhaps your flying career). When the reversers deploy, the efflux kills the lift on that wing (as we discovered very unpleasantly on Lauda) and the aircraft drops like a rock. Plus, if one reverser fails to deploy for some reason you're also going to get a nasty roll at a bad time.
I'm with sonicbum. While it was possible (and even approved) on some older aircraft types, it's a very, very bad idea to try it on any current Boeing.
I'm with sonicbum. While it was possible (and even approved) on some older aircraft types, it's a very, very bad idea to try it on any current Boeing.
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Where it is comfortable...
Applying R/T on the outboards (only those had reversers) during flare was SOP on the IL-62. It had no leading edge slats, and was necessary to avoid floating in ground effect with the very efficient wing (for those times) at a high angle of attack. Mind you, originally it had a five person fight deck...
Good video here:
Good video here:
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: FL370
