Thrust Reverse Toggle Problem

[Litjan]

Usually hot brakes can be a problem when planning for a rejected take-off. The brakes can hold only a "maximum energy" before melting. The energy in a rejected-takeoff scenario must be smaller than the ability of the brakes to take it.

So if your brakes will get really hot during landing you might have to observe some additional ground-time to allow cooling before taking off again.

There are tables that will allow you to determine the brake-energy soaked up during landing. Also fast taxiing, high temperatures and little wind will worsen the situation.

When taxiing it is not recommended to use reverse-thrust on the 737 (because engines are low to ground/FOD-risk). That might be different for the CRJ with it´s high engines.

Some aircraft have brake temperature indicators and/or -cooling fans to help. Another option is to fly with gear down for a few minutes before landing to cool them additionally if doing multiple short flights.

Reverse-thrust after landing is limited to idle on most airports nowadays, unless needed for safety reasons (be ready to be challenged if you rip ´em open, they monitor the noise!). Still it is good practice to open them to the "idle reverse" position where they don´t use more fuel or make more noise, but still help in slowing down the aircraft (especially in high-bypass engines).

The only airport where I have used reverse thrust to the max pretty much all of the time is Mexico City. Usually some tailwind, high weight due to big distance of alternate airport, 7000+ feet elevation and sometimes a wet runway. Reverser time!  ;D