A question on reversers

wrote in message

If you float in above the threshold a fair bit higher than Vref, is it
acceptable technique to chance the reverser to preclude landing too far
down the runway?

It is bad technique to "chance" anything. Jim is right in that if you're
out of position for landing a miss should be your first consideration.

I can't speak for all transports, but I seem to recall on the 727 and 747
there are lockouts that prevent reverse actuation in flight. Not 100% sure
of the physical lockout on the 727, and too lazy right now to look it up.
:-) I do recall that inflight reverser use was possible on at least some
models of the DC8.

In any event, I wouldn't consider use of reverse immediately before landing
a good idea.

John Gaquin wrote:

I can't speak for all transports, but I seem to recall on the 727 and 747
there are lockouts that prevent reverse actuation in flight. Not 100% sure
of the physical lockout on the 727, and too lazy right now to look it up.
:-) I do recall that inflight reverser use was possible on at least some
models of the DC8.


John, I'm sure the Thailand Air Lauda A320 crash of about 10 years ago
has escaped your attention

The pilots somehow accidentally deployed the reversers on finals and
couldn't recover the craft

Ramapriya

wrote in message

John, I'm sure the Thailand Air Lauda A320 crash of about 10 years ago
has escaped your attention

The pilots somehow accidentally deployed the reversers on finals and
couldn't recover the craft

The Lauda aircraft was a B767, and the accident occurred as a result of a
system failure some 20 minutes or so after T.O., not during a landing
approach. In normal operation, inflight reverse should be prevented in the
767.

In my post I was speaking in general terms, that as a matter of design,
operation of reversers in flight is usually prevented. However, there are
some exceptions, and in the event of a system failure or malfunction, all
sorts of unanticipated things can occur.

"John Gaquin" wrote in message . ..

wrote in message

If you float in above the threshold a fair bit higher than Vref, is it
acceptable technique to chance the reverser to preclude landing too far
down the runway?

It is bad technique to "chance" anything. Jim is right in that if you're out of position for landing a miss should be
your first consideration.

I can't speak for all transports, but I seem to recall on the 727 and 747 there are lockouts that prevent reverse
actuation in flight. Not 100% sure of the physical lockout on the 727, and too lazy right now to look it up. :-) I
do recall that inflight reverser use was possible on at least some models of the DC8.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauda_Air_Flight_004

".Blueskies." wrote in message

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauda_Air_Flight_004

I'm sorry, but I don't see how that relates to my post. Lauda crashed due
to a malfunction.

John Gaquin wrote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauda_Air_Flight_004

I'm sorry, but I don't see how that relates to my post. Lauda crashed due to a malfunction.


Oops, thanks. I was thinking all along that a pilot deployed it
accidentally. Or was that the EgyptAir crash off Massachussetts?...

Ramapriya

It seems that was an act of terrorism, the co-pilot for what
ever reason seemed to be crashing the aircraft, but that was
just some news reports, don't know if there ever was a final
and official determination made.



wrote in message
oups.com...
| John Gaquin wrote:
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauda_Air_Flight_004
|
| I'm sorry, but I don't see how that relates to my post.
Lauda crashed due to a malfunction.
|
|
| Oops, thanks. I was thinking all along that a pilot
deployed it
| accidentally. Or was that the EgyptAir crash off
Massachussetts?...
|
| Ramapriya
|

On the B727, the throttles must be in idle position in order to activate the
reversers. In the limitations section of the AFM, one is advised that
operation of reversers is not permitted in flight. I'm not aware of other
interlocks (Z-bar, etc)
"John Gaquin" wrote in message
. ..

wrote in message

If you float in above the threshold a fair bit higher than Vref, is it
acceptable technique to chance the reverser to preclude landing too far
down the runway?

It is bad technique to "chance" anything. Jim is right in that if you're
out of position for landing a miss should be your first consideration.

I can't speak for all transports, but I seem to recall on the 727 and 747
there are lockouts that prevent reverse actuation in flight. Not 100%
sure
of the physical lockout on the 727, and too lazy right now to look it up.
:-) I do recall that inflight reverser use was possible on at least some
models of the DC8.

In any event, I wouldn't consider use of reverse immediately before
landing
a good idea.

Okay, I mainly just lurk here but thought I'd throw my two cents on
this.

When I was flying KC-135's in the '70's we'd air refuel a C-5 every now
and then.

It was very interesting just getting the C-5 into contact position, but
what was more interesting was when we'd practice a break-away. The C-5
would employ their thrust reversers and pretty much disappear.

Anyway, it's the only time I've known that thrust reversers were
employed in flight.

Today I'm retired and am flying my Warrior around Montana, and don't
plan on refueling a C-5 any time soon.

--Walt
Bozeman, Montana





John Gaquin wrote:
wrote in message

If you float in above the threshold a fair bit higher than Vref, is it
acceptable technique to chance the reverser to preclude landing too far
down the runway?

It is bad technique to "chance" anything. Jim is right in that if you're
out of position for landing a miss should be your first consideration.

I can't speak for all transports, but I seem to recall on the 727 and 747
there are lockouts that prevent reverse actuation in flight. Not 100% sure
of the physical lockout on the 727, and too lazy right now to look it up.
:-) I do recall that inflight reverser use was possible on at least some
models of the DC8.

In any event, I wouldn't consider use of reverse immediately before landing
a good idea.

Walt wrote:

It was very interesting just getting the C-5 into contact position, but
what was more interesting was when we'd practice a break-away. The C-5
would employ their thrust reversers and pretty much disappear.


Wow. And there evidently doesn't appear to be a maximum thrust limit
for deployment of the reversers either

Ramapriya