Dangerous pilot technique?

[PlaneDrvr]

You could do it in the 60 series as well, but I was always terrified a bucket would go flying off. Makes a hellacious vibration too. If I remember correctly, the minimum speed with #2/#3 reversed was somewhere around 180 knots.

The DC-8, since it did not have 'flight spoilers' (spoilers only deploy as grd. spoilers), inflight reverse of the inboards was approved in place of flight spoilers. It was rarely needed (especially in the 60s), if you planned your decent well; however, the 70s had a much higher idle thrust, so if you had to get down, either slow and put some flaps out, or pop the inboards. An emergency decent, the inboards were put in reverse to reverse power stop (about MCT in reverse), the only way the a/c could be certified for emergency decent. In a 62, with inboards in reverse, and a 30 degree bank, I pegged the IVSI and was probably heading down at about 7,000-8,000 fpm. Pretty cool, would definitely come down, but as mentioned, would Shake and rattle the a/c. But, then again, Its a Douglas, a 'flying tank'

PD

 

[AC560]

The Concorde could dump the 2 reverser's in flight, 15K FPM down. Sounds like a fun ride.

 

[afhercdriver]

I have heard the C-17 does tactical descents with reversers??? Anyone know if that's true?

True. They can get up to 25,000 fpm with them deployed.

Jim

 

[mushroom]

The DC-8, since it did not have 'flight spoilers' (spoilers only deploy as grd. spoilers), inflight reverse of the inboards was approved in place of flight spoilers. It was rarely needed (especially in the 60s), if you planned your decent well; however, the 70s had a much higher idle thrust, so if you had to get down, either slow and put some flaps out, or pop the inboards. An emergency decent, the inboards were put in reverse to reverse power stop (about MCT in reverse), the only way the a/c could be certified for emergency decent. In a 62, with inboards in reverse, and a 30 degree bank, I pegged the IVSI and was probably heading down at about 7,000-8,000 fpm. Pretty cool, would definitely come down, but as mentioned, would Shake and rattle the a/c. But, then again, Its a Douglas, a 'flying tank'

PD

True about the "no flight spoilers," but of course the roll spoilers worked and the spoiler pump was operating if the wheels were down and the spoiler pump switch was in the correct position. I remember something in the QRH, in fact, in the "flight controls" section if the plane was uncontrollable for some reason. One of the line items was to "consider lowering the landing gear to make the roll spoilers available." I think the spoiler pump had a pretty short run time before it overheated though, maybe five minutes or so? It was a limitation (at least for us).

And yes, those Douglases are STRONG airframes.

 

[CA1900]

I'd rather have more directional control (with the nosewheel being on the ground) in a 2-engine plane before pulling both buckets, but that's just my 2 cents.

Look closer -- the IL-62 is a four-engine plane. The inboard engines aren't reversed.

 

[Whataburger]

How do you know he's not taking off?

 

[imisscorplife]

How do you know he's not taking off?

uhhhhhhhhh.......................................................... :laugh:

 

[C40_Pilot]

Yes, C-17s use TR's in flight

Yes, it's true, and pretty wicked cool. Best scenario was always coming off the AR track at about FL250 and 250 KCAS. Ask Center for a high speed descent, throttles-idle, speed brakes-deployed, all four engine reversers-deployed, and buckle up as you push the nose over to maintain airspeed of about 310 KCAS. I've seen -18,000VVI and about 25 deg nose low. You're not flying, your falling.

The fun part is when it's time to level off, hoping that all four TRs will stow properly. Never had any not stow, but it would sure be fun. Book says to shut the engine down if the TR won't stow upon level off.

Even better to do tactical descents in formation. Watching lead disappear below you was eye-opening.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

I used to live in Titusville, FL and saw the NASA G2 training bird do the shuttle landing practice runs a few times. Buckets out, mains down and a lot of noise, but that old G2 came screaming down the 12 degree glide slope! Looked like much fun was had with tax payer dollars...

 

[Dizel8]

Sure is the cleanest IL I have ever seen!

 

[gutshotdraw]

The thread-starter photo was of a Sudan Airlines airplane. They were shut down today. Coincidence? I think not. Flight Info strikes again!

 

[Dizel8]

I think it is a head of state a/c.

 

[Ben Franklin]

I'd rather have more directional control (with the nosewheel being on the ground) in a 2-engine plane before pulling both buckets, but that's just my 2 cents.

You must be the guy who selects full/max reverse coming through about 80-90 knots just as you're about to exit the last high speed on a 10,000' runway.


Sincerely,

B. Franklin

 

[Hugh Johnson]

I'd rather have more directional control (with the nosewheel being on the ground) in a 2-engine plane before pulling both buckets, but that's just my 2 cents.

What if one doesn't deploy and the nose is still in the air?

Does the right seat of your regional jet have a tiller?