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Aeronautical Engineering/Reverse Thrust vs. wheel brakes

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Expert: - 7/23/2007


Question
Does reverse thrust is mandatory in order to land a "big" aircraft (like a 737-800 or an A320), or wheel brakes are sufficient?

Answer
Marcelo
My understanding is that all commercial aircraft must be certified to land using brakes alone.  Reverse thrust is used to save brakes and shorten landing distances so the planes can get to the gates faster.  But aircraft can fly with reverse thrust inoperable.  The more stringent certification requirement is aborted takeoff braking.  Fully loaded aircraft must be able to accelerate to near takeoff speed (almost 200 mph for large jets), abort the takeoff, and come to a complete stop using brakes alone  before reaching the end of the runway.
Paul

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Paul Soderman

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Aeronautics, Fluid Mechanics, Aeroacoustics, Noise Control, Muffler Design, Wind Tunnel Research.... I know nothing about India - do not ask about schools, jobs, application requirements, career choices, etc. for India. Please, no text message verbiage; I prefer full words in full sentences. Thanks.

Experience

38 years as research engineer at NASA

Publications
AIAA, NASA

Education/Credentials
B.S. and M.S. Aeronautical Engineering - U. of Washington Graduate work Standford U.

Awards and Honors
AIAA Associate Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

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