thrust reverser

Most large turbofans use a translating cowl that slides back and blocker doors that turn the fan air forward; some use clamshell buckets in the exhaust. Reversers do a modest share of the braking but save brake wear and matter most on a wet or contaminated runway. They are only used above a low speed limit, because below it they can throw debris and hot gas back into the intake.

Nearby in Aviation

• taxiway — A paved route connecting runways, aprons and stands, on which aircraft move under their own power.
• TCAS — An onboard system that watches nearby transponder-equipped traffic and tells the crew how to avoid a collision.
• touch-and-go — A landing immediately followed by a takeoff, without stopping.
• traffic pattern — The standard rectangular path aircraft fly around a runway when operating visually.