Airbus... Why "Autothrust" and not "Autothrottles"
 

Legit question. I understand the fact that the throttles don't move on A320 series and above, but they do on A300/A310. Any idea why Airbus does not refer to them as "Throttles" (like every other airliner I've ever flown) but rather, "Thrust?"

Just because they don't move, aren't they still called "Throttles?"

Thx

a) They do 'move'
b) Boeing call them thrust levers but call it auto-throttle - go figure:ugh:
c) Boeing then talk about 'over boost'

Don't ask.

On the very rare occasions a sim ride was going well, I had been known to call for 'Engage autothrust' just to wind up the TRE. OK - never.:eek:

could be because jet engines dont have throttles! They have controls which alow the pilot to modulate the thrust ie "thrust levers".

I've always laughed at the use of the term "overboost" in the context of a jet engine!

Happy landings

3 Point

Throttles are on cars.

Have you told Boeing?

If you see them as thrust mode selectors would it make more sense?

Well, technically, a "throttle" is a device that controls airflow by restricting an air intake passage. (Much as "throttling" someone means squeezing their throat so that they can't breathe) That's how power is controlled on most gasoline piston engines. Turbine engines do not control power by "throttling" air intake, so from a purely pedantic standpoint, the term "throttle" is not correct on a turbine engine. But, if you are truly convinced that this is a important distinction, and you spend any amount of emotional energy worrying about it or seriously debating it, you are probably desperately in need of a hobby or a girlfriend.

BOAC, take note: A Squared is, clearly, an educated A-team person who knows a bit about aircraft and not from the ruffian B-team.

He probably has a hobby and a girlfriend as well.

Salute.

I think A squared needs to address that post to aa73 (or Boeing). As you could read, I don't give a monkey's. I push and pull them and the engines throttle up and down:rolleyes:

Wasn't addressed to you or to anyone else. It was more of a general commentary.

.......and mine was not to you:)

Piston engines usually have throttles.

Turboprops have power levers.

Jets have thrust levers.

Boeing talk of autothrottle and overboost is simply paying respect to their heritage and tradition, bless 'em.

Thanks for the replies.

Here at AA they have always been called "Throttles." It's on all the checklists... On the Before Start checklist, "Throttles.... Closed." On a Go-around... "Throttles... TO/GA". We also call for the Autothrottles to be "Armed" and "Engaged" when cleared for T/O.

I was just curious why Airbus went with "Thrust".

The same reason why the Airbus GPWS announces "Minima" and not "Minimums" like every other aircraft. Trust the French to teach the world how to speak English.

There's something rather sad about people who snipe at correctness and try to uphold sloppiness, especially in this profession where you'd imagine accuracy would be something that is appreciated.

"Minimums" is just plain wrong, so why take a cheap shot at the French for being correct for once? Oh dear...If only Airbus did use correct English instead of the mangled, bastardised Frenglish gobbledegook their manuals are written in.

And while we're at it, "throttle" is, as A Squared accurately described, completely incorrect on a turbine and for exactly the reasons he described. Why that is worthy of derision is, frankly, beyond me. If a jet's power control is a throttle then it's FCU is a carburettor. Jesus! Pretty basic stuff, that...

Why don't you tell Airbus that?

As for "throttle", it doesn't only apply an carburetted engine; if I throttle my
**** or ****, I "restrict" their output, just as I restrict the output of my jet engine. :}

This is merely a case of the Airbii types trying to be different, or poor use of the English language. :}

Perhaps because that's the plural of minimum. Minimums is a Boei...ummm....American word.

I'm always amused that the throttle vs. thrust debate comes up every year or so. Standing by for the thread on spoilers vs. speed brakes:).

I move to rename those devices in the interest of political correctness. How about we use the terms power lever and boards instead? This should ease the transition between Boeing and Airbus.:ok:

Throttles v's Thrust Levers etc.
 

They are what the manufacturer chooses to call them. I'm with A Squared, if it means that much to anyone they need to get a life. Personally I prefer "Throttles" over "Thrust Levers". "8 hours Bottles to Throttles" sounds much better than "8 hours Bottles to Thrust Levers", I think. Oh, for zeBedie, not all turbo-props have Power levers, C130's have Throttles.

A much of a muchness about nothing. Let's all get back to our Aeroplanes! :E

The same reason why they call them "sharklets" and not winglets, they have a different filosophy therefore they have to name things differently, flap zero vs flaps up and so on. Who cares?