Reverse thrust are flap type things on SOME engines which redirect air from the FAN backwards. This provides additional braking helping to slow the plane down and helps the brakes not overheat.
However, autobrakes decellerate the plane at a fixed speed, so reverse thrust will only help slow the plane down if you brake manually.
Two, on MOST jets, reverse thrust is always unlocked on landing. However, the engines are only throttled up if the braking is really needed, or the runway is short.
To unlock the thrust reversers tap F2. Hold F2 to throttle up the engines.
If nothing happens, your plane obviously dosn't have Thrust reversers.
what do air brakes do, and when do you activate them?
Airbrakes usually create drag on the plane, so it will slow down. However, autobrakes main funtion is to dump lift from the wing. This will cause the plane to decend. So if you raise the airbrakes, pull the nose up and you'll slow down quiet rappidly. Airbrakes (or spoilers), are sometimes used on approach, and always on landing.
However, it depends on the plane, and not all planes airbrakes work the same way. Most dump lift.
Press / to raise the lower and raise the spoilers. Press Shift+/ to arm the spoilers so that once you touch down they will go up. Spoilers on the ground will put loads of weight on the wheels, create some drag, helping to slow the plane.
To raise the spoilers only a little bit, you will USUALLY find the speed brake lever to the left of the Throttle quadrant.
Last edited by DizZa on Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
by bowler_man » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:34 pm 
thanks!
