Definition
Automatic systems that control engine power by moving the throttle levers to maintain a target airspeed, thrust setting, or flight profile selected by the pilot. The system commands the engines through the same throttle quadrant the pilot uses, and the levers typically move physically as the system makes adjustments.
Plain English
A system that handles the throttles for the pilot, adding or reducing engine power automatically to hold whatever speed or power setting the pilot has selected.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter autothrottles in airplanes with advanced automatic flight systems, especially during climb, cruise, approach, and other phases where speed or thrust is being managed automatically.
Derivation
From 'auto' (Greek 'autos', meaning self) and 'throttle' (the lever that controls engine power). Literally 'self-moving throttle' — the throttle moves itself to achieve what the pilot has asked for.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces pilot workload and improves speed accuracy during high-workload phases of flight.
Analogy
Works like cruise control in a car, automatically adjusting power to hold the chosen speed without constant manual input.
Intuition Check
Autothrottles do not fly the airplane by themselves. They only manage engine power according to the selected setting or active system command.
Example Sentence 1
The crew engaged the autothrottles after takeoff to maintain climb thrust.
Example Sentence 2
On final approach the autothrottles reduced thrust as the airplane descended toward the runway.