Falcon 900 Question

[seethru]

This question revolves around the thrust reverser(s) on a Falcon 900.

First, I have zero experience with any of this equipment, so maybe this is a simple question.

From what I have observed in other aircraft with thrust reversers there is a second, smaller set of levers on top of or forward of the thrust levers. Basically, one for each lever. I think I am correct in assuming these are the levers that are used to produce reverse thrust.

However, I was in the cockpit of a Falcon 900 today and saw that there was only one of these smaller thrust reverse levers, and that it was for the middle engine.

Am I to assume that there is only one engine on the 900 that produces reverse thrust?

I don't know why I need to know this. It's just one of those things that will keep me up tonight going Hmmmm.

Thanks and clear skies.

 

[TrafficInSight]

Never flown one, but I spend a bit of time around them and from looking at them I think that may be the case as I can only see the buckets on the center engine.

 

[2000flyer]

Trafficinsight is correct. The Falcon 50/900 have only one thrust reverser located on the center engine.

2000Flyer

 

[banned username 2]

Yup, only one reverser on the 50 & 900's... Even though there is only one, it is still fairly effective... You can land and stop the plane in about 5,000 ft without touching the brakes... The other nice thing is you can maintain full reverse thrust until you get completely stopped, most aircraft require reverse thrust be selected to idle reverse by 60 KIAS on roll-out... With only one reverser on the #2 engine, who's intake is up nice and high, there is really no danger of FODing out the engine at slow speeds...

 

[sky37d]

With only one reverser on the #2 engine, who's intake is up nice and high, there is really no danger of FODing out the engine at slow speeds...

Isn't there a danger of FODing the other 2 engines??

 

[banned username 2]

Isn't there a danger of FODing the other 2 engines??

Nope, the #2 engine exhaust is substantially behind the other engines intakes (which are at idle anyhow). In addition, the center reverser blows the exhaust sideways (instead of up and down like a typical reverser). This arrangement actually attenuates the residual forward thrust from the 2 lateral engines, as well as doesn't kick up debris from the ground...

 

[Cutlass1287]

So is it approved to move the aircraft backwards with as well?

 

[banned username 2]

So is it approved to move the aircraft backwards with as well?

If I remember correctly, the 900 is approved to back up the aircraft but the 50 isn't... Or maybe it is the other way around... Can't remember, but as a company we don't do "power-backs" so it really doesn't matter to me, hence the reason I can't remember...

 

[Kingairrick]

900 can back up. 50 can't

 

[sky37d]

I can remember an OLD photo of an NBAA show, where JetStars were present, and were nose in, because they were the only planes at the time that had thrust reversers. For the purposes of the show, they reversed out.

 

[banned username 2]

900 can back up. 50 can't

Thanks, that's what I was thinking but couldn't remember for sure...