Definition
A cockpit control on a turboprop or turboshaft engine that selects the operating mode of the engine and, on most installations, controls fuel shutoff and the propeller governor's speed setting. Typical positions include FUEL CUTOFF, LOW IDLE (or GROUND IDLE), and HIGH IDLE (or FLIGHT IDLE), with the lever setting the desired propeller RPM range during flight.
Plain English
A lever in a turboprop cockpit that tells the engine what mode to run in -- shut off, low idle on the ground, or higher idle in flight -- and sets the propeller speed range.
Context Anchor
Seen in turboprop cockpit procedures, especially during engine start, taxi, takeoff preparation, landing, and shutdown checklists.
Derivation
The name comes from the lever selecting the engine's operating 'condition' -- the overall state it's running in (off, ground idle, flight idle) -- rather than its moment-to-moment power output.
Why Pilots Care
Proper use prevents engine flooding, ensures reliable starts and shutdowns, and maintains safe fuel scheduling during flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read condition lever as a lever that checks whether the engine is in good condition. It is a control that selects the engine’s operating state.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the engine, the pilot confirmed the condition lever was in the FUEL CUTOFF position.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight, the condition lever was checked in the normal position to confirm proper fuel scheduling.