Definition
The pilot's use of the throttle (and propeller control, where fitted) to set engine output, which in turn governs airspeed and rate of climb or descent depending on how it is combined with pitch.
Plain English
Using the throttle to choose how much engine power the airplane is producing. More power generally lets the airplane climb or speed up; less power lets it descend or slow down.
Context Anchor
Used in attitude flying when the pilot coordinates throttle changes with the airplane’s nose and wing position to control speed, climb, descent, or level flight.
Why Pilots Care
Correct power control keeps the aircraft on the intended vertical path and prevents the common error of letting altitude change unintentionally while the pilot focuses only on attitude.
Intuition Check
Power control does not mean the engine controls everything the airplane does. It means the pilot uses engine power as one of the main controls, together with nose position and wing tilt, to get the desired result.
Example Sentence 1
On final approach, the pilot used small, smooth power control inputs to hold the desired glidepath.
Example Sentence 2
To begin a climb at the recommended airspeed, the pilot first set the pitch attitude, then added power control to produce a positive rate of climb.