While planes are at the airport, can they go in reverse on the runway? If so, is it done like a regular car?

Question

And are there things that propel it backwards like they propel it forwards?

Answer 1

Yes.  Pilots who want to use the full length of the runway sometimes back up to the threshold.

Answer 2

as other posters have noted, the wheels of airplanes are not connected to any power source, and as such planes can not back-up without the help of their engines, or a tug.

"Power-back" is the term used to describe the intentional use of the airplane engines to move the plane away from the gate far enough to begin a normal forward taxi. This actually used to be a fairly common procedure but is no longer used by any US airline, due to safety concerns.

One of the main reasons it is inadvisable to back an airplane under its own power is that sudden use of the brakes while backing could cause the nosewheel to lift off the ground. In a severe situation, the tail could actually strike the ground.

If a pilot senses the airplane moving in reverse due to a sloping taxiway, heavy wind or jetblast, they should apply the brakes gently or add thrust to arrest the backward movement. Abrupt brake application could cause the nose to "jump" as described above.

Answer 3

While most airliners are capable of backing up with the use of reverse thrust this is rarely ever done.  Every now and then you hear about an airliner backing up from the gate with the use of reverse thrust but this is very much frowned upon and only done on rare occasions like the breakdown of the tug that normally pushes back the aircraft.  You never hear of an airliner doing any backing up other than in that situation.

The C-17 heavy lifter lands at airshows in a remarkable short area and then backs up to thrill the crowd.

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Answer 4

None of the planes have a reverse gear. Planes can never go in reverse. There are small tugs (four wheeler truck) which push back the plane when it is parked at the gate.

Answer 5

Planes usually uses them for braking when landing. If they use it to go to the runway it might damage the building.

Answer 6

Some jet airliners can move backward on the ground by the use of reverse thrust, but it is a hazardous maneuver and is considered "hot dog" behavior on a pilot's part unless cleared by the company for some really good reason.

No, airplanes are propelled on the ground by engine power and not by their wheels; so there is no way to "reverse" the wheels.

Many propeller driven cargo and passenger airplanes, both turbo-prop and piston powered, have reversible propellers and can back up.  Again, there are hazards attached, and it is not often done.

Answer 7

Planes can't go back wards! they have trucks that pull them back wards for take off

Answer 8

How about reverse in the air?

The Boeing 737 210C aircraft had the ability to deploy its thrust reversers not only on the ground but also in the air.  Some years ago it was common practice by one Alaskan operator to use reverse thrust to back up for a short distance after landing on ice runways.

The same operator deployed the thrust reversers on flair-out just prior to touchdown.  This was accomplished through activation of the reverser override switches.  The engines were actually in reverse before the landing gear touched the ground.  Worked well for awhile, sort of a STOL approach.  But then Boeing put out a mandatory service bulletin connecting the override switches to the main gear squat switches.  No more STOL approaches.