Autothrottle

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An autothrottle (automatic throttle) allows the pilot to control the power setting of an of an aircraft's engines automatically. It helps conserve fuel and engine life by metering a precise amount of fuel to attain (usually) a specific indicated air speed.

Origins

A primitive autothrottle was first fitted to later versions of the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter late in World War II. Nowadays it is often linked to a Flight Management System, and FADEC is an extension of the concept to control many other parameters besides fuel flow.

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