In the cockpit

The thrust levers

Why are there levers in the middle?

The thrust levers set engine power. Pushing them forward increases thrust. They have set positions (detents) for takeoff, climb and idle. On many aircraft they move by themselves when the autothrottle is active.

There are also reverser controls for landing. The levers sit between the pilots so either can reach them.

A little deeper

Boeing levers move with the autothrottle; Airbus levers stay in detents and the system follows them.

Engines are controlled by a computer (FADEC) that manages fuel flow so the pilots can't exceed limits.

See it in Gate 41, in the cockpit

Related questions

• Why do the engines change sound?
• What does the autopilot do?

People involved

• Captain Imani OkaforCaptain (pilot in command)
• First Officer Mateo AlvarezFirst officer (co-pilot)