System and method for operating a thrust reverser for a turbofan propulsion system

A thrust reverser assembly (12) for use in a turbofan engine assembly (10) is provided. The engine assembly including a core gas turbine engine (14), a core cowl (18) which circumscribes the core gas turbine engine, a nacelle (32) positioned radially outward from the core cowl to define a fan nozzle duct (38) between the core cowl and a portion of the nacelle, the nacelle including a stationary cowl (58). The thrust reverser assembly includes a first translating cowl (54) slidably coupled to the nacelle, the first translating cowl positionable with respect to the stationary cowl, a second translating cowl (56) slidably coupled to the nacelle such that the first translating cowl is positioned between the stationary cowl and the second translating cowl, the second translating cowl positionable with respect to the first translating cowl, a positioning assembly (120) coupled to the first translating cowl, and an actuator assembly (94) operatively coupled to the second translating cowl for selectively moving the second translating cowl, the actuator assembly configured to engage the positioning assembly to selectively move the first translating cowl.