Thrust lever
Encyclopedia
Thrust levers are found in the cockpit
of aircraft
, and are used by the pilot
, copilot, or autopilot
to control the power output of the aircraft's engines.
In multi-engine aircraft, each thrust lever displays the engine number
of the engine it controls. Normally, there is one thrust lever for each engine. The thrust levers are normally found in the aircraft's center console, or on the dashboard of smaller aircraft.
For aircraft equipped with thrust reversers, the control for each thrust reverser is usually found adjacent to the corresponding engine's thrust lever.
The position of each lever can be described by the current angle indicated. This is referred to as the Throttle Lever Angle or TLA. The greater the TLA, the greater the engine thrust.
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
of aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
, and are used by the pilot
Pilot in command
The pilot in command of an aircraft is the person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the "captain" in a typical two- or three-pilot flight crew, or "pilot" if there is only one certified and qualified pilot at the controls of...
, copilot, or autopilot
Autopilot
An autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance from a human being. An autopilot can refer specifically to aircraft, self-steering gear for boats, or auto guidance of space craft and missiles...
to control the power output of the aircraft's engines.
In multi-engine aircraft, each thrust lever displays the engine number
Aircraft engine position number
Aircraft engine position number is a method to identify the location of engines on multi-engined aircraft. Aircraft engines are numbered from left to right from the view of the pilot looking forward.-Twin-engined aircraft:* #1 - port - on the left...
of the engine it controls. Normally, there is one thrust lever for each engine. The thrust levers are normally found in the aircraft's center console, or on the dashboard of smaller aircraft.
For aircraft equipped with thrust reversers, the control for each thrust reverser is usually found adjacent to the corresponding engine's thrust lever.
The position of each lever can be described by the current angle indicated. This is referred to as the Throttle Lever Angle or TLA. The greater the TLA, the greater the engine thrust.
Throttle levers
The throttle lever assembly is often designed to incorporate high-pressure (HP) cock switches so that the pilot has instinctive control of the fuel supply to the engine. Microswitches are located in the throttle box so that the throttle levers actuate the switches to shut the valves when the levers are at their aft end of travel. Pushing the levers forward automatically operates the switches to open the fuel cocks, which remain open during the normal operating range of the levers. Two distinct actions are required to actuate the switches again. The throttle lever must be pulled back to its aft position and a mechanical latch operated, or a detent (hard point) overcome, to allow the lever to travel further and shut off the fuel valve.See also
- AutothrottleAutothrottleAn autothrottle allows a pilot to control the power setting of an aircraft's engines by specifying a desired flight characteristic, rather than manually controlling fuel flow...