Can planes REVERSE out of the GATE? POWERBACK procedure explained by CAPTAIN JOE

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Dear friends and followers, welcome back to my channel! Today we’ll be looking at the famous „Powerback procedure“, with which pilots use reverse thrust to back out of their gate position.
Powerback is used by aircraft to move backwards on the ground using the power of their engines along with the aircraft's thrust reversal.In Europe, only propeller aircraft tend to use powerbacks as a means of reversing, while in the United States some larger jet aircraft also perform powerbacks.

While many aircraft are physically capable of performing powerbacks, many companies impose restrictions on the practice, mainly due to the risk of FOD (foreign object damage) from debris propelled into the air. This problem is magnified even more with planes having wing-mounted engines, as their proximity to the ground can exacerbate debris ingestion if powerbacks are used. Small metal objects are particularly dangerous as they can be propelled into terminal windows, employees on the ground or even the aircraft itself. Applying the brakes when backing up also has the potential to cause a tailstrike.

During the 1980s, many aircraft with aft-mounted engines, such as DC-9s, Boeing 727s, and MD-80s used powerbacks to reduce the number of ground personnel required. For example, Northwest Airlines' fleet of DC-9 aircraft used powerback operations at certain airports, but discontinued the practice in 2005 citing the need to conserve fuel. KLM also avoids using the procedure for the same reasons, noting that powerbacks cause extra wear on the engines.

In addition, in the United States, restrictions on powerbacks are enforced by the FAA, and the local aviation officials. Only certain gates at certain airports are approved for powerbacks, and are usually placarded as such. Many airlines impose stricter safety procedures for powerbacks, which often include disallowing a powerback under certain environmental conditions, such as rain or snow.[5]

It is sometimes mandatory to powerback for take-off. In Grand Case Airport (official name L'Espérance Airport, French part of Saint-Martin island) the runway can be used only by ATR-42 and ATR-72 after a powerback to get its full length available.

But see more within the video!

Thank you very much for your time! I hope you enjoy this video!
Wishing you all the best!

Your "Captain" Joe

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Outro Song:

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[avslav]

7:01 we pay whole runway, we use whole runway

[PilotBlogDenys]

I was making power backs on ATR42/72 sometimes the propeller blades had being hit with small stones and small particles from the apron surface.

[jimkreiling]

I was an airport supervisor for Eastern Airlines in the early/mid 80's. We used power backs often at many airports for a few years. It was neat to be in front of the aircraft and giving instructions using the orange wands to direct a pilot in performing a power back
.

[jackielinde]

7:03 - "It's a great technique, unless you work for I'm going to place my bet and say it's "Ryanair".

[alvarocifuentes]

That´s been out of protocol since 1984 sir
-AirGroundPound69

[PilotBlogDenys]

Unless you fly for Rynair! Nailed it !haha

[notavailable]

He probably said Ryanair because of their hard landings

[prknox]

I experienced a powerback as a passenger 30 years ago in a 727-200 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. good video explaining this keep up the good work Joe!

[Macavellic]

Some airports have noise or operational restrictions for the use of powerback as well.

[flixfr]

Joe i saw your story on instagram that you visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.I hope you have a great time in Malaysia.Terima Kasih (Thank you in Malay) for answering this question.

[SeanChay]

So far I have no question. But one thing I do want to praise Captain Joe is, your attitude of 'a good pilot is always learning' is always applaudable! Keep it up! Almost a year for being one of your subscribers!

[arab]

Captain Joe is probably the best aviation youtube channel

[VMCAviationVideos]

3:38 - Nice to see that you included my video clip of the Twin Otter floatplane backing-up at the Vancouver Seaplane Base.

[youtakel]

2:05
"Using a forklift or a tow truck"
*Shows a car vs tow truck*

[cameronb]

Normal pilot: *lands on landing gear*
Ryanair pilot: *lands on engine*

[spliceoncharlie]

Thanks Captain Joe. Implementing reverse thrust policy to back away from the table before I overstuff myself to help with the diet.

[wayneeverett]

Without watching the video ( yet ), YES you can power back out of the gate ! In the C-130, we backed up on the ramp AND the runway, all the time . Sight unseen, great video ! At 0:13 sec, THAT is a C-130 !! Too Cool !!

[JordanHourGlassDJ]

@2:38 Thanks for putting a clip of the High Rollers 130's from the Nevada Air National Guard in the video!! (Video from the Truckee air show) Reno born and raised!!!

[robstitt]

As I recall from my dad (TWA Capt -- up thru the B747), there were concerns with "compressor stalls" on the larger (L1011 and B747) widebodies (a compressor stall typically required an engine change on them at that time).

Still, on some MD-80s and maybe B727s, TWA used powerbacking for a short time and it was a BLAST to experience (quite the acceleration in reverse compared to a tug!). However, they apparently had a STEEP increase in engine failures among the planes that did that so they discontinued the practices after just a few years. (that's my understanding, anyway).

[Michael.Blackwood]

To add to this video with another bit of information, as a former EDDL Ramp Agent:
Another reason why it is rarely done anymore, is because at many airports it is simply forbidden to start up your engines at a gate position as part of noise abatement procedures. Few people can imagine how god damn loud even a small A320 or 737 is in idle thrust with running engines*. That's why most airports only allow spooling up the engines either during pushback or (as I remember in Dusseldorf) not even during but only after pushback was completed. Needless to say, Powerback doesn't work without running engines, so.... :-)

That being said, I'm speaking specifically about gate positions. Tarmac positions may be different, given they are usually further away. I don't remember whether powerback was allowed on the Victor positions in Dusseldorf, but given that most turboprops would be parked there, I would imagine it can be allowed. Then again, many Victor positions in DUS are taxi out positions anyway, so no reverse is needed at all. :-)

*(Remark: Even fewer people will be able to imagine that even without engines runing, a plane can be insanely noisy. Yes, APU, I am looking at you, you damn baby turbine. But seriously, even just an APU can be loud enough, that you need to wear ear protection when operating around the aft compartments for (un)loading, etc.)