The Real Reason Why The World’s Largest Commercial Aircraft Only Has Reverse Thrust On 2 Engines

Simple Flying

The Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, has four engines, but thrustreversers are fitted only to the two inboard engines (numbers 2 and 3). Unlike most four-engine airliners, the outer engines do not produce reverse thrust after landing. The reason is largely linked to their position beneath the aircraft’s enormous 80-meter wingspan. Located close to the runway edge, the outboard engines would be far more likely to disturb and ingest gravel, dirt and other debris from unpaved margins, increasing the risk ofForeign Object Damage (FOD) to the engines, wings and fuselage.

​Read More