Okay, I mainly just lurk here but thought I'd throw my two cents on
this.

When I was flying KC-135's in the '70's we'd air refuel a C-5 every now
and then.

It was very interesting just getting the C-5 into contact position, but
what was more interesting was when we'd practice a break-away. The C-5
would employ their thrust reversers and pretty much disappear.

Anyway, it's the only time I've known that thrust reversers were
employed in flight.

Today I'm retired and am flying my Warrior around Montana, and don't
plan on refueling a C-5 any time soon.

--Walt
Bozeman, Montana





John Gaquin wrote:
wrote in message

If you float in above the threshold a fair bit higher than Vref, is it
acceptable technique to chance the reverser to preclude landing too far
down the runway?

It is bad technique to "chance" anything. Jim is right in that if you're
out of position for landing a miss should be your first consideration.

I can't speak for all transports, but I seem to recall on the 727 and 747
there are lockouts that prevent reverse actuation in flight. Not 100% sure
of the physical lockout on the 727, and too lazy right now to look it up.
:-) I do recall that inflight reverser use was possible on at least some
models of the DC8.

In any event, I wouldn't consider use of reverse immediately before landing
a good idea.