ERJ 145 T/R
 

Some ERJ145s have thrust reverse and some do not. This is a bit of an unusual option for a transport jet.

What are the pluses and minuses of this option in the real operational world?

I heard from a ERJ flyer that the ones that aren't fitted with thrust reversers need ballast to keep the CG within limits when the aircraft is flown without payload.

Correct;most of the U.K. registered EMB145s do not have t/r.
They add $500,000 to the sticker price and reduce payload by half a tonne.
On the other side of the coin ldg performance without t/r is very poor and brake overheat a regular feature.You do need ballast if empty but also 400 Kgs in the rear hold if full with someone on the jump seat.
An even worse idea is
A. Having no fire ext. system in the rear hold(within pressure hull).
B.Not taking the option for a fire detection system.

Regarding the thrust reversers, there is an interesting story about a Fokker 28 landing on an icy runway without T/R on the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org

While saving 500.000 by not having them might sound like a smart idea to managment it might not be as smart when the s..t hits the ....

As for the hold without fire detection/suppression, the FAAs deadline for retrofit of cat D cargo compartments with such devices is just about to end (or has ended already) while the JAA still thinks its OK to fly around without being able to know when your belly's on fire.

As the US have a requirement, retrofit kits for all types are bound to be available, so why not mandate them in Europe.

Types affected are at least DC9, Fokker 28,
anyone to shed light on other types with belly compartments

BAe 146/Avro
727
737
717
Airbuses (probably have some to allow carriage of DGR)

Both forward and rear holds in the 146 are pressurised and unheated. Neither have any form of fire detection or suppression fitted.

Flying b727 (US-reg.)and we have both detection and protection in the lower cargo holds.

When the shot hits the fun, atleast we do have some forewarning aswell as being able to fight it.

seupp

BMI Regionals EMB 145's are all fitted with cargo detection and protection system. It was the only extra they got.

------------------
AP