Why the REV icon on EICAS must show amber or green before moving the thrust levers forward

After a landing, the moment of truth isn’t when the nose goes up or the speed bleeds off. It’s when you bring the thrust levers forward after using reverse thrust. In a SkyWest ERJ, that transition hinges on a small but mighty signal: the REV icon on the Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS). If you know what that symbol means and what its color tells you, you’re already ahead in safety and smooth operation.

What the REV icon actually tells you

Think of the REV icon as a quick status report for your thrust reversers. When you deploy reverse thrust, the engines and reversers work together to scrub off speed quickly. The REV symbol on the EICAS reflects that activity and, crucially, when the reversers are stowed and ready for normal forward thrust. The key point is this: before you push the thrust levers back into forward range, you want to see that REV icon showing amber or green.

• Amber or green means the reversers are either in the process of or have completed stowage, and the engines are ready for forward thrust.

• If you see something else—no color, or red, or a status that suggests a fault—you don’t move the levers forward. You double-check with the numbers, the warning lights, and the crew next to you. It’s a pause that prevents a potentially unsafe moment.

Why amber or green matters more than other checks

You’ll hear pilots talk about multiple safety nets in the cockpit. Some are about altitude calls, some about gear, some about speed. Here’s the thing, though: for the specific transition from reverse thrust to forward thrust, the most direct and reliable cue is the REV icon in amber or green. It’s a real-time, engine-by-engine indicator of reverser status and stowage. If you’re waiting for a generic cue like “the airplane is landed” or “the altitude looks stable,” you’re missing the precise signal that these systems need before you proceed.

Remember, the icon isn’t a decorative glow. It’s a diagnostic aid that helps you confirm two critical things at once: the reversers have stowed properly and the engines are ready to deliver normal forward thrust again. That clarity matters in gusty winds, long landings on short runways, or busy airfields where every second counts.

What the other options won’t reliably guarantee

The question often pops up in training scenarios, and the tempting choices are A, C, or D:

• Waiting for at least 30 seconds afterward: the calendar timer isn’t the safety signal you need. Time can pass quickly, but a reverser still stuck in partial stowage or a delayed indication is a hazard. The color on the REV indicator is the more direct, actionable signal.

• Checking altitude: altitude matters for approach and landing, yes, but once you’re on the ground and you’ve deployed reverse thrust, altitude doesn’t tell you whether the reversers have stowed. You need reverser status, not altitude status, before moving forward.

• Confirming landing gear is up: on many transitions, the gear is already settled or in the process of being retracted after landing. While gear status is important for overall safety, it doesn’t replace the specific verification that the reversers are safely stowed and ready for forward thrust.

A practical way to internalize this

Let me explain it like a routine you can run without thinking too hard. After you’ve used reverse thrust to slow the airplane, you glide through the post-landing checks, but the pivotal moment is the moment you consider returning to forward thrust. Look at the EICAS and confirm the REV icon is amber or green. If it is, you’re cleared to bring the thrust levers forward. If it isn’t, you pause and re-check, maybe even coordinate with the other pilot or the flight deck procedures to confirm there’s no reverser fault.

This isn’t just about memorizing a color-coded cue. It’s about building a habit of cross-checking with the cockpit’s readouts, so you don’t rely on a memory fragment or a rough sense of “that felt right.” The electronics are trying to help you, and when you trust those indicators, you’re respecting the airplane’s own safety design.

A quick note on the cockpit environment

The ERJ’s cockpit is a place where precision and calm matter more than drama. Reversers can be a bit of a drama, especially in variable winds or a long runway. The REV icon gives you a clean, unambiguous signal in real time. It’s your best friend in that critical transition from braking to thrust. And it ties into the broader discipline you’re developing in CQ and KV topics—being able to read system states quickly, interpret indicators accurately, and act with deliberate intention.

How this translates to CQ and KV topics (without turning it into a cram session)

You’re absorbing a lot of systems knowledge as you work through SkyWest ERJ CQ and KV content. This particular check is a perfect example of how those topics connect to real-world flying:

• System awareness: Understanding how the Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System communicates reverser status helps you see why a simple icon matters more than a long mental checklist.

• cockpit signals: Recognizing amber versus green states, and what they imply about readiness for forward thrust, builds your ability to translate cockpit language into safe actions.

• cross-check discipline: The habit of verifying a single, decisive indicator before an action is a hallmark of good airmanship. It reduces the chance of misinterpretation in a busy cockpit.

A few practical tips to keep the habit strong

• Treat the REV icon as a non-negotiable cue. If it isn’t amber or green, don’t move the thrust levers forward.

• Pair the indicator with a quick engine indication read. If the numbers look off or the revolvers aren’t behaving as expected, pause and reassess.

• Communicate your status clearly. A simple “REV is green, moving forward” shared verbally with your partner adds a layer of safety and situational awareness.

• Practice cases in varied conditions. Gusts, short runways, wet surfaces—these all test whether your reliance on the REV indicator remains steady under pressure.

A broader view: why training matters beyond the single signal

In aviation, a single checkbox or icon rarely tells the full story. Yet, it can be a reliable commitment point that keeps your crew aligned. Training that highlights indicators like the REV icon helps you develop a precise mental model of how the ERJ behaves across different phases of flight. You learn to trust the system while staying prepared for anomalies. That blend—trust in automation with readiness to act manually—defines modern cockpit proficiency.

A closing thought: staying curious, staying safe

So, next time you’re thinking about reversing and transitioning back to forward thrust, recall the REV icon. It’s not a flashy symbol; it’s a practical reminder that systems are designed to inform and protect. When you see amber or green, you’re not just clearing a lever; you’re confirming a safe, controlled transition. And isn’t that what every flight deserves—clear signals, deliberate actions, and calm confidence.

If you’re deep into SkyWest ERJ CQ and KV topics, you know this pattern well: connect the dots between what you read, what you see in the cockpit, and what you actually do in the flight deck. The REV indicator is one of those connective threads that ties theory to practice in the cleanest, most dependable way. Keep that thread intact, and you’ll navigate those critical transitions with clarity and care.