FCOM 1.22.30
LVR ASYM Amber
One thrust lever is in CL or MCT/FLX detent, and the other one is not in this detent.
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So that's a lie then, is it?
It may well be out of (above) the ATHR range, but the system is still surely telling you that there's something wrong with one of the levers that it can't do anything about. Therefore it throws up the FMA inviting your intervention.
Still think MCT is the best you'll get out of the motor, irrespective of what the FMA says.
I would like to see some reference for answer a) to be totally correct.