Reverse-Thrust PROPELLERS as LANDING BRAKES

THE problem of providing sufficient braking capacity for land planes has become acute with the development of aircraft of high gross weight.

One method that helps to solve this problem is discussed in this paper. It consists of reversing the thrust of the controllable-pitch propeller during the landing run. This method has been used successfully in test installations, both in combination with the normal wheel brakes and alone.

It is claimed that either type of operation limits the landing run to values less than those obtained with the normal application of wheel braking.