thrust reverse Q

[fireofnorway]

How far into a landing is reverse thrust activated?  Right after touchdown, or still airborne?

[AeroSpace News]

How far into a landing is reverse thrust activated?  Right after touchdown, or still airborne?

hi fireofnorway,

welcome to our forums and thanks for posting.

to the best of my knowledge, they are never used while still airborne. In fact, there are, i think, so-called squat switches which prevent the use of thrust reversers until there is weight on the wheels.

however, they should be used as soon as the wheels are solidly on the ground. a late use may have played a role in the southwest airlines plane crash at chicago midway recently.

there is an interesting item about this issue at the link above.

again, welcome aboard!