Definition
Devices on a turbine engine that temporarily redirect the engine's exhaust or fan airflow forward, producing a rearward-acting force that helps decelerate the airplane after touchdown. They supplement wheel braking and aerodynamic drag during the landing roll and, on some aircraft, during a rejected takeoff.
Plain English
A system that points the engine's blast forward for a few seconds after landing, so the engine helps slow the airplane down instead of pushing it forward.
Context Anchor
Encountered in turbine airplane landing procedures, rejected takeoff procedures, and runway rollout discussions.
Derivation
Thrust is the forward force an engine produces. To reverse it is to turn it the opposite way. So a thrust reverser is a device that flips the direction of the engine's push from forward to rearward.
Why Pilots Care
They shorten the landing distance and add braking power, which is especially useful on short, wet, or slippery runways where wheel brakes alone may not be enough.
Intuition Check
Do not assume thrust reversers make an airplane back up in normal operation. In this context, they are mainly used to help slow the airplane after it is already on the runway.
Example Sentence 1
After touchdown, the pilot selected reverse thrust and the thrust reversers helped slow the airplane on the wet runway.
Example Sentence 2
On a contaminated runway the pilot used thrust reversers along with wheel brakes to stop within the remaining distance.