C-17 Engage Its Thrust Reversers In Mid-Air

[bitchstewie]

Intentionally but that is impressive

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/41823/watch-...

[Tony1963]

You wouldn’t have wanted that in a Tornado at low level

[Eric Mc]

You can see the downward pitch it causes.

[CrutyRammers]

I guess there's a fair amount of beefing up of the wing structures in one of these compared to your standard airliner then. That's an absolute no-no on "normal" aircraft isn't it?

[Eric Mc]

Not in all cases - but it can cause a serious problem if the thrust reversers deploy unexpectedly. Read the report on the Lauda Air Boeing 767 crash in 1991.

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

[Penguinracer]

I believe the DC-8 was authorised to run its inboard engines in reverse thrust.

I knew(sadly passed away) an ex-WW2 Pacific fighter (P-40's & Corsairs)) pilot who later flew Venoms & Canberras before flying DC-8's. He said that on empty repositioning flights, on a certain very short sector they'd run all four in reverse thrust for an extreme descent before popping up from under the glide scope for an ILS landing!

[Penguinracer]

The DC-8 was a tough old bird - deliberately taken supersonic on 21st August 1961 with no issues - that particular aircraft going on to serve with Canadian Pacific Airlines until 1980.

https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/i-wa...

[FunkyNige]

CrutyRammers said:

I guess there's a fair amount of beefing up of the wing structures in one of these compared to your standard airliner then. That's an absolute no-no on "normal" aircraft isn't it?

One of the business jets can (or could) do it - it's how they trained the Space Shuttle pilots on how to land

[Oilchange]

Designed to carry an M1 Abrams (weight)* so pretty tough old birds. Expensive though.

• and a Chinook (size)

[matchmaker]

Bit OT, but I remember my first flight on a DHC Twin Otter. Parked up at the ramp at Edinburgh airport I was waiting for the tug to push us out as on every other plane I'd been on. No, reverse pitch on the props and we trundled back!

[Hard-Drive]

Pretty sure the Trident was cleared for that trick too...

[Eric Mc]

Many jets could do it but it was generally not a normal procedure because of the dangers associated with jet blast in a crowded area- as it often is near an airport gate.

Propeller driven aircraft have less of an issue with reversing using reverse pitch. I remember watching an FAA Convair T-29 reverse from its stand at Dublin airport in the 1970s. It was quite fun to watch.

This one -

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

Many jets could do it but it was generally not a normal procedure because of the dangers associated with jet blast in a crowded area- as it often is near an airport gate.

I'd have thought the biggest issue would have been reversing into something, as the pilot can't see where he's going.

[Mave]

It also blows any debris forward ready for the engines to suck up

[Eric Mc]

Simpo Two said:

I'd have thought the biggest issue would have been reversing into something, as the pilot can't see where he's going.

The procedure is to ask the Ground Controller for clearance before you attempt it. If the controller says yes, then you should be safe to move.

[Boatbuoy]

Eric Mc said:

Simpo Two said:

I'd have thought the biggest issue would have been reversing into something, as the pilot can't see where he's going.

The procedure is to ask the Ground Controller for clearance before you attempt it. If the controller says yes, then you should be safe to move.

I'll just leave this here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG_u_B5d7cQ

[Krikkit]

What amazes me is that the reverser structures are strong enough to withstand opening straight into that high-speed airstream, yet remain relatively light.

Awesome.

[rkem]

Simpo Two said:

I'd have thought the biggest issue would have been reversing into something, as the pilot can't see where he's going.

Open the ramp and cargo door and let the crewman direct the reverse. Standard

Mave said:

It also blows any debris forward ready for the engines to suck up

Luckily the engines are mounted up high, and they don't seem to mind landing on beaches and in fields and semi-prepared runways.

[ecs]

This guy engaged reverse so that some guys in wingsuits could grab his wingtips in flight, albeit in a turboprop:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdccr7qm5NA

[Mave]

rkem said:

Simpo Two said:

I'd have thought the biggest issue would have been reversing into something, as the pilot can't see where he's going.

Open the ramp and cargo door and let the crewman direct the reverse. Standard

Mave said:

It also blows any debris forward ready for the engines to suck up

Luckily the engines are mounted up high, and they don't seem to mind landing on beaches and in fields and semi-prepared runways.

Go back and look at the context of my post. It was in response to Eric and Simpos comments about why many jets can but don't do it. Most jets don't land on beaches, fields, and semi prepared runways.