HOw does an aeroplane reverse during taxing before take off?

Question

Is it done automatically by the plane or a vehicle pushes the plane back from its front?

Answer 1

It's pulled back by a tender.

Answer 2

A plane which needs to move backwards is pushed by means of a high-horsepower tow truck, as in the case of a pasenger jet leaving its assigned gate at an airport. You will notice this the next time you are in the departures/arrivals area of your local airport. Look out the window at a departing flight and watch carefully for the towtruck which latches on to the airplane's forward landing gear and pushes the airplane away.

There is no safe or legal way that an airplane could "reverse" in the conventional manner as a car, though aerodynamically this would be possible with the use of reverse thrusters. "Reverse thrust" (which you've probably heard about) is accomplished when the pilot deploys a special device called the "reverse thruster" which "deflects" the airplane's thrust (which normally travels forward) in a backward direction. This is used only after landing, in order to help the aircraft decelerate. This shortens the required landing distance and also reduces wear and tear on the brakes.

Using reverse thrusters to "back" an airplane out of a gate is not feasible and would be extremely dangerous due to the pilot's limited rear vision as well as the possibility of dirt, rocks, snow, ice or other objects being sucked into the engines before takeoff.

Answer 3

Well, it can be pushed or pulled by a tractor, or they can use their reverse thrusters. These are clamshell like plates that come down over the exhaust end of the jet engine and direct the exhaust flow at an angle (30 to 45 degrees) back toward the front of the plane. They also use these after landing to slow the plane down.

Answer 4

Sean, you need to do a little more research before dispensing so much verbage on how thrust reverser use for backing an aircraft 'would not be feasible'...... The Power Back maneuver is routinely used by a number of airlines where tugs are not availble or cost more than the fuel used for the maneuver. I have been on at least 3 flights in my life that did this very thing. The only requirement is to have a ground crew person in sight by the flight crew to warn of any potential obstacles.

Answer 5

The plane must be pushed back by a ground vehicle.

Answer 6

When I worked for an airlne at a major hub, we "power reversed" almost all flights out of the gate. 26 gates, 8 banks a day.

Yea, the pilot can't see, but that's why he takes commands from a ground agent directing him.

Answer 7

And for propeller planes, they can always reverse the pitch of the blades, and push the aircraft away from the gate or terminal.

(Requires reversible pitch propellers.)

Answer 8

it can be pushed by vehicle or by engines trust , both are possible for jets but not turbofans

Answer 9

You idiot. The plane is pushed back by a tractor.