How does C 17 reverse thrust work?

Thrust reversal, also called reverse thrust, is the temporary diversion of an aircraft engine’s thrust so that it acts against the forward travel of the aircraft, providing deceleration. The C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft is one of the few modern aircraft that uses reverse thrust in flight.

How does thrust reversers work on jets?

How Does a Thrust Reverser Work? A thrust reverser is contained within the nacelle system, an aerodynamic structure surrounding the jet engine. To slow down after landing, the aircraft engine itself does not run in reverse; rather, the direction of the engine’s fan airflow is reversed, creating a massive drag.

Can c17 back up?

The C-17 can take off and land on runways as short as 3,500 feet (1,064 meters) and only 90 feet wide (27.4 meters). Even on such narrow runways, the C-17 can turn around using a three-point star turn and its backing capability.

Can C-17 back up?

Why does the C-17 use reverse thrust?

It also prevents the speed build-up normally associated with steep dives, allowing for rapid loss of altitude, which can be especially useful in hostile environments such as combat zones, and when making steep approaches to land. The C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft is one of the few modern aircraft that uses reverse thrust in flight.

What aircraft use reverse thrust in flight?

The C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft is one of the few modern aircraft that uses reverse thrust in flight. This airlifter is capable of in-flight deployment of reverse thrust on all four engines to facilitate steep tactical descents up to 15,000 ft/min (4,600 m/min) into combat environments (a descent rate of just over 170 mph, or 274 km/h).

What is the C-17’s reverse idle tactical descent?

The War Zone spoke to former RAF C-17 pilot Andy Netherwood about the reverse idle tactical descent, which he described as a “great party trick and fun to fly,” although noting that even without the thrust reversers engaged, the C-17 has a seriously impressive rate of descent.

How high does a C-17 drop from?

In this particular procedure, the thrust reversers are engaged in flight to enable a maximum-rate descent. As the caption to No. 99 Squadron’s video explains, the C-17 seen here drops from a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet to 5,000 feet in just two minutes, although this is “not even close to max performance for this beast!”