why airplanes do not go reverse like cars?

Answer 1

I am assuming you are referring to jets (big planes) as opposed to little planes such as a Cessna.

Jets do have a reverse gear in the engines themselves. However, when you are being pushed out of the terminal area before takeoff, this is because the engine speed is not nearly high enough to be able to reverse itself.

The huge, roaring sound you hear when a jet is touching down on landing is when the pilot has actually put the engines in reverse. This is to help slow the plane down otherwise it would just go off the runway out of control. The jet has a braking system but it is not nearly enough to stop these huge things from going forward. So, again, the pilot is actually putting engines in reverse to stop the forward motion. This is not something you would do in a car otherwise, you would drop the transmission out of the car.

Most autos won't let you do that anyway - just in case you try.

By the way, the thing that moves the plane out from the terminal is called a paymover. I have driven one before and they can move in any direction or more than one direction at the same time and can also do a crabwalk - sort of diagonal - sideways and forwards at the same time. Moving these big jets is not easy. Neither is stopping them.

Answer 2

There are many factors why they can't reverse in the air, although there are a few specially designed aircraft that can, in fact, reverse in the air.. the VTOL Rotor Osprey, which is similar to a helicopoter... the Harrier fighter jet to name but two.
On the ground, however, there are many airplanes that can sort of 'reverse.' Many airliners can 'reverse' using something called 'reverse thrust.' Special ducts on the rear of the jet engines allow the thrust from the engine to be vectored in such a manner that it allows the aircraft to back up.
There are also some turbo prop aircraft that are fitted with propeller blades that can change the pitch of the blade so that the airflow flows in the opposite direction to forward flight, thereby pusing the airplane backward.. the DeHavilland Canada aircraft Buffalo was one such aircraft.
You can probably research some of this by going to google.com and typing in hawker harrier or dehavilland buffalo or reverse pitch or reverse thrust.
Cheers!

Answer 3

Technically quite a few airplanes can go in reverse on the ground, it is just a matter of redirecting the thrust. Jets have thrust reversers which do just that, and props can change the pitch of the blades so that they push instead of pull.

We backed our C-130 into and out of many parking places with no outside help other than a spotter.

Answer 4

First of all one must know the air planes move on the ground only in the principles of flying. An aircraft does not take a turn -right, left or U -like a car.It applies when the craft is airborne and during the movement on the ground as well.Unlike cars,the wheels are nothing do with the engine.They have breaks and gears only to facilitate the motion on the ground.(There are some modern versions of jet air crafts have optional reverse gear at wheels)

It would be easier to understand if one starts with Newton’s laws , Bernoulli's principle, law of triangle of forces and modern theories on aerodynamics along with the industry info.

Answer 5

In the air, airplanes require lift and the wings do not work in reverse to provide lift.

On the ground, jet engines' thrust in some planes can be redirected forward to help stop the plane, but the wheels are not motorized and cannot operate in reverse. The motors provide the motive force directly, not though the wheels.

Answer 6

Actually, they can go in reverse, but only on the ground. The plane would have to come to a stop in the air to switch from forward motion to backing up, and without the airflow over the wings to keep it airborn, the plane would fall from the sky before it could start moving again. The Harrier Jump jet is the only plane that can hover and move backwards as needed.

Answer 7

BUT THEY CAN!


Even piston airplanes!
1)On the ground with a stiff wind (the kind where the birds are walking) open both doors and line up into the wind. Steer with rudder.
2)With significant wind, you can actually fly backwards! Drop some flap, and slow her down to approx 5 mph over stall (dirty configuration).

Note: SuperCubs, Champ`s, and any Cessna`s smaller than a 185 will do it with ease.

And NO I`m not kidding, I`ve done both :)

Answer 8

well, lift is required for a plane to fly. The wing, which gives lift to the plane, only works in one direction. So, a plane cannot fly backwards because it won't generate any lift. On the ground, small planes can be pushed backwards, and jets have reverse thrust as mentioned in above answers.

Answer 9

They are not built to go in reverse. Why would you need to go in reverse you can just turn around and go the other way.

Answer 10

Some do.

To BushpilotGuy;

After you're through having that fun of flying backward, how are you going to land in that stiff wind without overturning?

Increase air speed, as he said he was just above stall. with a strong headwind the landing distance will be decreased.
unless the wind is above the VNE speed, landing is no problem with a proficient pilot.