Why You Want an Autothrottle

FLYING Staff

Friday, August 11, 2006 at 08:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Autothrottle systems, pioneered by Safe Flight Instrument Company 50 years ago, are becoming more widespread across aircraft types, driven by technological advancements like FADEC, which significantly enhance flight safety and efficiency by automating power and airspeed control.
Aviation safety is fundamentally built upon strict adherence to comprehensive standard operating procedures, which are reinforced through continuous training.
However, complex situations often necessitate critical pilot judgment, a skill effectively honed through realistic simulator training that presents challenging scenarios and prepares pilots for real-world emergencies and adverse conditions.

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It has been 50 years since Safe Flight Instrument Company developed the first practical autothrottle system but only a small minority of pilots have been able to fly this most useful and safety enhancing equipment.

But that is starting to change. Safe Flight is now offering its AutoPower system in midsize business jets, when before it had only been installed in airline and large business jets such as Gulfstreams and Global Expresses. It’s not an impossible dream that autothrottles will someday be available even in single-engine airplanes.