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Airbus vs Boeing Auto Thrust Systems

There are differences between the auto thrust systems used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft. In Airbus aircraft, the thrust levers do not move when auto thrust is engaged. The system uses a "fixed throttle" concept where electrical signals control engine thrust. In Boeing aircraft, the throttle levers will move when auto thrust is on, as it uses an "auto throttle" concept to automatically adjust engine power. Both systems allow pilots to specify a desired flight characteristic like airspeed or vertical speed for the auto thrust to then maintain by controlling fuel flow, similar to a car's cruise control.

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587 views2 pages

Airbus vs Boeing Auto Thrust Systems

There are differences between the auto thrust systems used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft. In Airbus aircraft, the thrust levers do not move when auto thrust is engaged. The system uses a "fixed throttle" concept where electrical signals control engine thrust. In Boeing aircraft, the throttle levers will move when auto thrust is on, as it uses an "auto throttle" concept to automatically adjust engine power. Both systems allow pilots to specify a desired flight characteristic like airspeed or vertical speed for the auto thrust to then maintain by controlling fuel flow, similar to a car's cruise control.

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  • Differences Between Auto Thrust Systems: Explains differences in auto thrust systems between Airbus and Boeing aircraft, focusing on operational mechanisms.
  • Operational Aspects of Auto Thrust: Describes the operational aspects of auto thrust, including constant speed management and engine power adjustments.

What is the difference between the auto thrust systems in Airbus aircraft

and Boeing aircraft?

Normally in an aircraft or vehicle, the throttle or the accelerator controls the


engine RPM/power output. Through suitable clutch arrangement, the power is
transmitted to the wheels or propeller to move the vehicle. The engine RPM is
to be suitably controlled by continuously adjusting the throttle to achieve desired
variations in speed, climb, descent etc., The accuracy in this act of correct
throttle control is more important during the approach to landing.

In a typical aircraft having an auto-thrust system, the throttle has some three or
four settings (notches) where they can be engaged. Most essential settings are
reverse, idle, cruise and take-off. In each of the setting, the computer senses the
'demand' made by the desired flight path and adjusts the fuel flow into the
engine, exactly like the manual adjustments to the throttle done by a human.
The only difference is that the throttle position does not change in the cockpit
and the adjustments are done through electrical signals. The throttle position
can only be changed manually by the pilot in the cockpit.

The system is almost similar in all aircraft. But then, please note that they will
not be exactly similar.

In Airbus, Thrust lever is based on "fixed throttle" concept; there's no motorised


movement of throttle levers. Means, In case of Auto thrust active, thrust lever
won't move.

While in Boeing, there is Auto throttle concept in which, throttle lever will
move in case of thrust is automatic.

An Auto throttle - (automatic throttle) allows a pilot to control the power setting
of an aircraft's engines by specifying a desired flight characteristic, rather than
manually controlling the fuel flow.
In its basic form, it is just like the cruise control in a car.*

Here is a photo of the autopilot control panel on a Boeing 777. Note the "IAS
200" window on the left:

IAS stands for "indicated airspeed". When engaged, this setting tells the auto-
thrust to adjust engine power to maintain 200 knots of airspeed.

Just like a car, when you go uphill you need more gas to maintain a constant
speed, and when you go downhill you give it less gas. If the downhill is steep
enough, you may have to use some brakes to maintain a constant speed.

Same thing happens when a plane pitches up to climb or pitches down to


descend. Airspeed, vertical speed and engine power are closely related -
changing any one will impact the remaining two. This is the fundamental of how
planes fly, and likely your first ground school lesson if you learn to become a
pilot. Auto-thrust is a component of the autopilot system which manages engine
power. Note that I used constant airspeed as an example in the previous
paragraph: advanced autopilots have many modes, and it can be set to maintain
constant vertical speed instead of airspeed. But in all cases, auto-thrust manages
engine power.

*It is worth noting that many aircraft are not equipped with auto-thrust or auto-throttles, including many
of those with sophisticated autopilots.

*I wouldn't call those autopilots "sophisticated" then. And I'd say it's pretty common. Surely it is rare in
GA, but on the passenger side, I'd bet at least 8 out of 10 flights you can book at major airlines is flown
on an aircraft with auto-thrust.

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