do planes ever use reverse thrusters to back away from the gate anymore?
 

I know they used to do this in the past, but I'm pretty sure I've always had a taxi push us out. Do air carriers ever use reverse thrust to back up anymore?

I'll be surprised if they ever did that.. I think the reverse thrusters are effective
for stopping.. but not for moving an aircraft in a reverse direction.

I run into it at least 20% of the time on NWA in both MSP and MEM. Depends on the gate configuration, type of plane (it's almost always on a DC9) and/or availability of staff/tug to perform the push/pull.

It did happen on couple of my flights few years ago, but as the OP stated, I have not seen it happen again since.

I saw it done about 2 or 3 years ago at either DFW or DEN (Cant remember), it was a DC-9, Continetal If I remember correctly.

Mark

Reverse thrust can only be safely used to back up aircraft that have tail-mounted engines, so that means you'll never see it period on anything that has wing-mounted engines. There are only a few aircraft that are approved for power back operations, so that may be why we don't see it much anymore unless flying on MD-80s (one of the ones that can power back).

Even when the aircraft is approved for power back, it's generally preferable to push back because of the fuel burn, stress on the engine, and safety issues.

I've only seen it (ie been on a plane) on MD-80s at DFW and DC9s at MSP/DTW

You mean like this:
http://airliners.net/open.file?id=09...ext_id=0961913

It's called a "powerback" and can be done with tail mounted engines (FOD concern).

Yep, recent experiences:

DFW - AAMD80 (not very often)
MEM - NWDC9 (more often than not)
MSP - NWDC9 (sometimes)
DTW - NWDC9 (sometimes)

Read somewere ( I think on airliners.net ) what determines the need for this as opposed to a tug

I read last year about advancements in electric motors making wheel mounted motors possible, I wonder how long till that is on the first commercial planes? I'd imagine it would make things a lot more efficient if they didn't have to wait for a tug every time...

In DTW, I think this is done by DC-9 parked at odd numbered gates in A concourse. Not all of the odd numbered gates are used by DC-9 but whereever DC-9 is parked on the odd numbered gate, it'll most likely powerback out of the gate. I don't think any of the DL MD-80 that pulls into the B gates power back due to the configuration in DTW.

HJ

It's always fun to be sitting on a NW DC9 and feel the plane start to roll forward as the engines rev up, than power back.

Always puts a smile on my face.

It's been a long time and I don't remember what airline it was.

It sounds like NW may still powerback their aircraft. I know DL outlawed it about 10 years ago and I believe AA stopped using this technique a few years ago as well.

I was on a NW DC9-30 flight that powerbacked from the gate at DTW about 3 months ago.