How fast can reverse thrusting move an airplane backwards? Haha?

Question

Or maybe they never tried it? Haha

Answer 1

Another note running reverse thrusters causes jet exhaust to recycle which could cause flame out at low speeds. And reverse thrusters have a limited amount of time before the metal overheats. At DFW air port Planes reverse out of the terminals all the time with the jet engines. Reverse thrust could probably move the plane 30 or 40 miles an hour just getting that weight moving takes time the thrusters were not designed for.

Answer 2

Airliners, at least, are generally pushed backwards by special tractors, as when leaving the gate. Many airliners can move backwards by using reverse thrust on the engines (called a "powerback" if it used to leave the gate), but this is usually avoided because it gobbles fuel, it puts wear and tear on the engines, it endangers people on the ground (jet blast and suction at the front of the engine), and the engines are more likely to suck in debris if operated in reverse thrust at low speeds. Small aircraft can be pushed or pulled by hand. They don't generally have the ability to move backwards on their own unless they have reversible-pitch propellers, and even then reverse thrust is not normally used for safety and other reasons.

Answer 3

Billy! Unfair question! You caught me of guard! Depends on the airplane and pitch/size of the airscrew that is turning. How do do think an aiplane can back up on it's own?

Reverse thrust is common. But Ha,ha! Got you back on this one! Eh,heeeeeee....a star for you!

The Crewcheif has a good answer too! Been there and done that!

Answer 4

"maybe they never tried it"?

DC-8s use reverse thrust in flight to steepen the descent. So do the Sabreliners and G-2s which pilots use to simulate descending in the Space Shuttle. For backing up on the ground reverse thrust can sometimes be used. For flying in reverse pilots use vectored thrust aircraft, not thrust reversers.

Answer 5

in the plane i fly, i would say we can go backwards just as easy as we can go forwards.. its a prop plane so the blade angle just reverses.. the rearward thrust is exactly opposite direction of the forward thrust but in a jet, i dont think the thrust is exactly opposite, its angled more towards the ground.. one thing is for sure though, you dont hit the brakes when you are going backwards!! you dont wanna stand the plane up on its tail.. haha

Answer 6

not sure how fast, but i can tell you it can be dangerous to use reverse thrusters to reverse out of a parking spot or something...Air Florida Flight 90 crashed partially due to using the reverse thrust to try and back-up in snow/icy conditions

Answer 7

The speed backwards of an aircraft in reverse is directly proportional to the sized of the captain's gonads.

Answer 8

we backed up C-17's, C-130's and even the KC-10 once.(only on deployment of course). They are not fast but fast enough to cause severe damage to anything, including themselves, they might accidentally hit.

HEY KEVIN WHERE YOU FLY 580'S OUT OF? IT WOULDNT BE PTK WOULD IT?