Can a commercial airplane go backward like a car using reverse gear?

Question

Can a commercial airplane go backward like a car using reverse gear?

Answer 1

Not at all.

Some jet airliners can roll backward on the ground using thrust reversers, but it is not common practice because it places a lot of stress on the machinery.  So it is rarely done.

But they cannot fly backward.

Answer 2

I know a C-17 cargo plane can back-up, so I assume commercial planes can too. The problem is, they can't see what's back there and may HIT something.

Answer 3

yes search youtube for powerbacks

Answer 4

Wow.  now this does require some "old" knowledge.

Yes, and it requires two things.

twin engines  and

differential braking.

by applying the left wheel brake and increasing left engine power, the right wheel will roll backwards.

now apply the right wheel brake and right power and the plane will rool back on the left wheel.

It works best on planes with 4 engines using only those outboard.  

Its sorta like crabbing backwards, but it works if you dont have a tow-tug.

wer

Answer 5

yea they can use thrust reversers i guess but they are only used to slow down an aircraft on the runways after landing.

Answer 6

Commercial airliners can put their engines into reverse thrust and actually back up. Pilots have to exercise extreme care when doing this as they cannot see what is behind them.

When taxiing on ice, I have seen B-727's use the center engine on forward thrust and the other two in reverse thrust to control their forward motion. I have also had pilots request a tow tractor in these conditions.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 7

Yep. Just like a car.

Answer 8

drwer2 is right, that will work.  Beta mode and reversers are another way, but they don't fly backwards.

Answer 9

One other reason thrust reverse is rarely used as a means of backing away from the gate is the foriegn object damage to aircraft and terminal buildings that resulted when some airlines began trying this as a schedule improvement technique, at high volume hubs, where ground crew and tugs were scarce at peak traffic hours. Because of all the service traffic, baggage and food service handling that necessarily goes on in terminal ramp areas, small objects regularly fall to the ground, unnoticed, in those areas. When the jet reversers are engaged, the resulting high blast can easily pick up small objects like a several thousand horsepower leaf blower, and turn them into deadly missiles.

This makes ramp personnel really nervous, and has broken several terminal windows. It also subjects the jet itself to a higher than normal rate of engine foreign object damage; at least having a ground tug push back the aircraft to the terminal taxiway lane gets it one or two hundred feet away from its ground service position. Debris in the ground service position area is less of a problem on arrivals, when aircraft typically come into the gate area at low engine power settings on the incoming taxi.

Answer 10

C130's cargo aircraft could reverse the pitch of the prop and move backwards on the ground.

Commercial Jet aircraft can as well, however due to the power and fuel it takes, it is hardly ever done.

I was at the Minneapolis airport once when I heard the roar of the jet engines and it was unusually close.  Looking out the window I noticed an AA passenger jet moving backwards.  I continued to watch it as it moved backwards to see what was going on.  When it was out from the terminal far enough, I noticed it did not have a tow bar on it so it was not be pushed back, but moving back on it's own power.

This was the first and only time I have ever seen this happen.

Answer 11

it can but only when taxing to the runway

Answer 12

planes are not ment to go backwards but can if suped up. roof of this is how airplanes need that little tractor to get out of the gate. They can go forwards at speeds up to 150mph on the ground before takoff though