Powerback is used by aircraft to move backwards on the ground using the power of their engines in reverse thrust operation.[1] Civil and general aviation aircraft equipped with reverse thrust are technically or theoretically able to use powerbacks as a means of "backing up" but such operation is prohibited or strongly discouraged by aircraft manufacturers as well as airport safety regulations in nations with actual aviation safety regulating agencies.
While many aircraft are physically capable of performing powerbacks, many companies impose restrictions on the practice, mainly due to the risk of FOD (foreign object damage) from debris propelled into the air. This problem is magnified even more with planes having wing-mounted engines, as their proximity to the ground can exacerbate debris ingestion if powerbacks are used. Small metal objects are particularly dangerous as they can be propelled into terminal windows, employees on the ground or even the aircraft itself.[2] Applying the brakes when backing up also has the potential to cause a tailstrike.[3]
During the 1980s, many aircraft with aft-mounted engines, such as DC-9s, Boeing 727s, and MD-80s used powerbacks to reduce the number of ground personnel required.[3] For example, Northwest Airlines' fleet of DC-9 aircraft used powerback operations at certain airports, but discontinued the practice in 2005 citing the need to conserve fuel. KLM also avoids using the procedure for the same reasons, noting that powerbacks cause extra wear on the engines.[4]
In addition, in the United States, restrictions on powerbacks are enforced by the FAA, and the local aviation officials. Only certain gates at certain airports are approved for powerbacks, and are usually placarded as such. Many airlines impose stricter safety procedures for powerbacks, which often include disallowing a powerback under certain environmental conditions, such as rain or snow.[5]
Military useedit
In several US military aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules, the C-5 Galaxy and the C-17 Globemaster III, powerback operation is technically possible as demonstrated at civil airshows but there are severe limitations on the ability of all reverse-thrust capable aircraft to perform actual "push back" on their own in actual service. [6][7][8]
Referencesedit
^[1] Transport Research Board of the National Academies, "Airport Passenger Terminal Planning and Design: Guidebook" . ACRP report 25. Airport passenger terminal planning and design. Volume 1:Guidebook. page 128. 2010. ISBN978-0-309-11820-0
^Lim Khoy Hing (2017-11-01). "Pilot's Perspective: Staying the Course". travel360.com.
^ abJohn Cox (2019-03-08). "Ask the Captain: Why don't airplanes 'power back' from the gate?". USA Today.
^Penris, Renee (2017-07-14). "5 Airplane Mysteries You Didn't Know You Wanted To Know". blog.klm.com.
^"CHAPTER 18 OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS - Section 5 Part C Operations Specifications—Airplane Terminal Instrument Procedures and Airport Authorizations and Limitations (OPSPEC C065)". faa.gov.
^"C-130 powerback using reverse thrust". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
^"C-5M Super Galaxy Power Back". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
^"C-17 Reverse Thrust - Backing Up, Departure & Arrival". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
powerback, used, aircraft, move, backwards, ground, using, power, their, engines, reverse, thrust, operation, civil, general, aviation, aircraft, equipped, with, reverse, thrust, technically, theoretically, able, powerbacks, means, backing, such, operation, pr. Powerback is used by aircraft to move backwards on the ground using the power of their engines in reverse thrust operation 1 Civil and general aviation aircraft equipped with reverse thrust are technically or theoretically able to use powerbacks as a means of backing up but such operation is prohibited or strongly discouraged by aircraft manufacturers as well as airport safety regulations in nations with actual aviation safety regulating agencies Contents 1 Background 2 Military use 3 References 4 See alsoBackground editWhile many aircraft are physically capable of performing powerbacks many companies impose restrictions on the practice mainly due to the risk of FOD foreign object damage from debris propelled into the air This problem is magnified even more with planes having wing mounted engines as their proximity to the ground can exacerbate debris ingestion if powerbacks are used Small metal objects are particularly dangerous as they can be propelled into terminal windows employees on the ground or even the aircraft itself 2 Applying the brakes when backing up also has the potential to cause a tailstrike 3 During the 1980s many aircraft with aft mounted engines such as DC 9s Boeing 727s and MD 80s used powerbacks to reduce the number of ground personnel required 3 For example Northwest Airlines fleet of DC 9 aircraft used powerback operations at certain airports but discontinued the practice in 2005 citing the need to conserve fuel KLM also avoids using the procedure for the same reasons noting that powerbacks cause extra wear on the engines 4 In addition in the United States restrictions on powerbacks are enforced by the FAA and the local aviation officials Only certain gates at certain airports are approved for powerbacks and are usually placarded as such Many airlines impose stricter safety procedures for powerbacks which often include disallowing a powerback under certain environmental conditions such as rain or snow 5 Military use editIn several US military aircraft such as the C 130 Hercules the C 5 Galaxy and the C 17 Globemaster III powerback operation is technically possible as demonstrated at civil airshows but there are severe limitations on the ability of all reverse thrust capable aircraft to perform actual push back on their own in actual service 6 7 8 References edit 1 Transport Research Board of the National Academies Airport Passenger Terminal Planning and Design Guidebook ACRP report 25 Airport passenger terminal planning and design Volume 1 Guidebook page 128 2010 ISBN 978 0 309 11820 0 Lim Khoy Hing 2017 11 01 Pilot s Perspective Staying the Course travel360 com a b John Cox 2019 03 08 Ask the Captain Why don t airplanes power back from the gate USA Today Penris Renee 2017 07 14 5 Airplane Mysteries You Didn t Know You Wanted To Know blog klm com CHAPTER 18 OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS Section 5 Part C Operations Specifications Airplane Terminal Instrument Procedures and Airport Authorizations and Limitations OPSPEC C065 faa gov C 130 powerback using reverse thrust Youtube Archived from the original on 2021 12 21 C 5M Super Galaxy Power Back Youtube Archived from the original on 2021 12 21 C 17 Reverse Thrust Backing Up Departure amp Arrival Youtube Archived from the original on 2021 12 21 See also editPushback aviation Taxiing Thrust reversal Air Florida Flight 90 nbsp This aviation related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Powerback amp oldid 1186184889, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
