A340 Thrust Reversers

WorldTraveller · Sat Mar 10, 2001 7:18 pm

Hello everybody!

I've got a question concerning the thrust reversers of the A340.

I think I read that the "newer" versions of the A340-300 only have trust reversers on engines no.2 and no.3.
This picture would support this thesis:

Click for large version

Photo © Simone Kuemer

A340-313X with 2 thrust reversers deployed

Click for large version

Photo © Rajesh Changela

"older" A340-300 with 4 thrust reversers (great shot BTW!!)

However, this "new" A340-313X also has 4 thrust reversers:

Click for large version

Photo © Darcy Stevens

And finally an A340 with thrust reversers deployed on engines no.3 and no.4 only!?

Click for large version

Photo © Matthew Lee

Could anyone please enlighten me?

Is it up to the airline customer to choose 2 or 4 thrust reversers or can each thrust reverser be deployed as the crew wishes it (like no.1 and no.4 or no.2 and no.4 etc.)?

Any help appreciated!

Best regards
the WorldTraveller

VC-10 · Sat Mar 10, 2001 8:25 pm

The a/c will not allow in assymetrical deployment of the Otbd eng reversers. I cannot explain the AC picture however, other than the LH engines have just had the reversers stowed.

TK · Sat Mar 10, 2001 10:53 pm

I think I've read somewhere that deployment of number 1 and 4 reversers are inhibited until the main landing gears are fully compressed. That explains the first picture, but I'm puzzled by the AC one!

A/c train · Tue Mar 13, 2001 12:12 am

Correct me if im wrong as I am on the site to learn from the experts.
Sometimes a/c used full reverse thrust if landing is overshot or there is a high speed landing . The pilot needs to select appropriate engines to use reverse thrust as in one on each wing or all of them as you get asymmetric loading on one side . Pilots rarely use full reverse as this causes engine vibration and will reduce engine life.

c172akula · Wed Mar 14, 2001 8:27 am

I know this is a late response, but in the AC picture the #1 Thrust reversers are just barely visible, maybe because of the angel of the shot the #3 and 4 reversers are more prominent, and the hazy weather also plays with the ability to see clearly. But take a look and the #1 Engine, you can make out the thrust reverser, probably closing.

WorldTraveller · Wed Mar 14, 2001 4:33 pm

I get your point C172Akula, but I think all thrust reversers should close at the same time, shouldn't they?

Anyone with more info on this?

Is it possibly to deploy thrust reversers one by one, if you wish?

Do the newer A340's only have thrust reversers on engines 2 and 3?

Thank's for the input so far!

Best regards
the WorldTraveller

TK · Wed Mar 14, 2001 8:13 pm

Yes, its possible to operate each thrust reverser individually, this is used in engine out conditions when its necessary to apply asymmetric thrust in order to keep the plane straight on the ground.
I strongly doubt the newer A340's having only thrust reversers on numbers 2 and 3. Airbus was considering getting rid of thrust reversers altogether on the series 500 & 600 to save weight though I don't think it materialized.

F-WWAI · Thu Mar 15, 2001 12:13 am

All the A340's, old and new, have four thrust reversers.
Current proposal for -> A380 is to have inboard engine thrust reversers only.
A340 has an interlock between thrust reversers of outboard engines which would allow dissymmetric deployment, but would inhibit reverse thrust increase on the deployed T/R engine in case the opposite fellow would not deploy. This is done, obviously, to avoid lateral control problems at low speeds.

hope this clarifies,
Smile/happy/getting dizzy

FW

A340 Thrust Reversers

A340 Thrust Reversers

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RE: A340 Thrust Reversers

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