Vietsky From Vietnam, joined Nov 2008, 93 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2845 times:
Dear A. friends,
I have a question about Thrust Reverse that I hope anyone can help me to have a better understanding about it.
I am a frequent flyer of VNA. I often fly with the same type airplane A321, often land at the same airport runway (SGN) and also experience the same weather condition (good sunny HCM city). Even more, I also land at exact same time (15:30) on Wednesday (due to business schedule). So it means every touch down should be the same as I suppose.
Then, I realize that not all the slow down at the runway is done by Thrust Reverse. Sometimes, I experienced the brake (idle reverse???) after touch down. Personally, I am much prefer the later, very nice and quiet.
My question is that, if in the same company, who is deciding that the airplane has to be stop by thrust reverse? Airline? or it depend on the skill/preference of the pilot on that plane to slow down of the airplane after touchdown.
Lowrider From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 3220 posts, RR: 11 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2843 times:
Quoting Vietsky (Thread starter): Airline? or it depend on the skill/preference of the pilot on that plane to slow down of the airplane after touchdown.
Airlines have a variety of policies regarding the use of reverse thrust. They can range from do not use it unless it is an emergency, to always open the reversers on landing but do not advance unless circumstances mandate it, to maximize use of reverse thrust. Some companies leave it entirely up the the Captain. Techniques can will vary depending on the weather, the point of touchdown, and the turnoff desired. Equipment deferrals can also affect the use of reverse.
Lowrider summed it up nicely. QF's old policy used to be idle reverse if possible to save fuel, until they decided to park one of their 744s on a golf course in BKK, and subsequently changed their reverse thrust policy. These days QF uses full reverse for most landings, unless they are required to, or are allowed to, roll through 3000m of runway, or during early-morning noise abatement requirements at SYD. Now and again they'll keep them at idle on a "normal" landing involving moderate braking (not a roll-through). In all cases, a minimum of idle reverse is used.
ThirtyEcho From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 1634 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 years 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2635 times:
The major variables in your situation are the wind, other traffic at the airport and your arrival gate.
Even if you are on the same runway most of the time, the wind will be different every day. Some headwinds will obviate the need for reverse thrust.
Other traffic at the airport will mean that your aircraft should, sometimes, scoot off the runway ASAP and sometimes this isn't needed.
If your arrival gate is far down the runway, the pilot may elect to let the aircraft roll out to the end.
In any event, reverse thrust adds only about 25% to the stopping ability of the airplane and it burns lots of fuel; if it isn't needed, better to opt for idle reverse and let the brakes do the work.
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