Reverse thrust
 

Just a thought. Is it possible to use reverse thrust to back off from the gate. Is it a technique ever used by commercial pure-jets?

Some US companies did that on 727 for a while.

Allowed on some types like the MD-80. Not allowed on most with underwing engines.

Fairly common with turboprops.

sure we do
 

I've done them on the DC9 and (pratt and whitney powered both) 737-200's.

we call them: Power BAcks instead of Pushbacks.

only things to be careful, area and people clear, and when you stop, you exit revverse thrust and go to forward thrust to stop...just hitting the wheel brakes might end you up on your tail skid....don't do it on wet/icy areas.

I even know of one guy who did it a little bit on a 767...but you aren't supposed to. Icy area, conventional tug ppushback couldn't get traction...went in reverse for a couple of seconds to get out.

again, against rules on 767

I did a few times in 727s. No big deal, just make damn sure not to hit the brakes. :\

I was in the right seat one day and the guy in the left seat did hit the brakes, realised what he did the second he hit the brakes. We didn't go back on the tail skid, but it was close.

He was an experienced PIC as well, later he admitted he just had a brain fart. He did buy the beers that night. :p

B717 FCOM contains a section on the manoeuvre. Company SOP prohibit Power Back.

Early 80s, KATL, two Eastern DC-9s were parked at different concourses, back-to-back. Guess what happened when both powered back at the same time. :rolleyes:

Here you go:

They invented what we now call "ramp control"?:}

Seem to remember an IL-62 carrying out this manoevre when, for whatever reason, groundcrew refused to push the aircraft back. I think a number of lounge windows were blown in!

This is probably obvious for most. Just about any aircraft can power pack, FOD is the issue and reason why the power back was only common on tail mounted engine aircraft. It saves time and resources only needing one marshaller for the procedure to be done safely.

Did it myself at BHX, in a 1-11, when the push back truck broke down.

Reverse thrust
 

Gentlemen

Many thanks for the comments. It sounded like a sensible idea if, for example, the push-back tractor was u/s but you never know until you ask the right bloke.

As a rotary man, S61 and Commercial Chinook, we never had these problems.

Thanks again

I rode a few powerbacks as a teen pax in the 70's - DC-9 or 722.

I think rising fuel prices had a role in discountenancing them (earlier engine start, and thrust burst - wasn't it Richard Branson who called for tug service all the way to the ILS hold lines to save a few pounds of fuel before engine start?).

It doesn't take a lot of fuel - but totalled over 1,000 flights a day for a big carrier, powerbacks can add up to a noticeable chunk of cash. And carbon output.

Additionally, of course, there are issues of sandblasting the ramp workers and the big plate-glass windows in today's gate lounges with debris. And that constant bugaboo - noise.

Not "politically correct," on a number of counts. :=

But technically workable.

Saw an RAF C-130 do a 3 point turn at BLK one airshow (well away from the crowd)

From 737 NG Fctm:
Backing with reverse thrust is not recommended.


But still possible.

FB

We used to back up with C-130's on ice covered surfaces to an offloading ramp built of snow/ice. The back door and ramp would be open partially and the loadmaster would provide guidance with headset communications at the back entrance.

Did a lot of them in the MD80. Hated it. Airplanes were made to go forward.

Seem to remember Eastern Airlines in ATL doing it with every type except the A-300. That means...yes, they were reversing out of the gate with 757's.