Definition
The act of adjusting engine controls — primarily the throttle, and where applicable the propeller and mixture controls — to produce a specific level of engine output appropriate to the current phase of flight. The chosen power setting is verified against engine instruments such as the tachometer (RPM) or manifold pressure gauge.
Plain English
Moving the engine controls to make the engine produce the right amount of power for what you are doing — takeoff, climb, cruise, or descent — and then checking the gauges to confirm you got the value you wanted.
Context Anchor
Seen in takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and training maneuver procedures when the pilot is told what power to use.
Why Pilots Care
Correct power settings deliver expected performance, protect the engine from damage, and keep fuel flow and temperatures within safe limits.
Intuition Check
Do not read setting power as electrical power or general strength. In this context, it means adjusting the airplane’s engine output to the amount needed right now.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off at cruise altitude, the pilot focused on setting power to the value recommended in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
Example Sentence 2
Once level at cruise altitude the pilot reduces power to the setting listed in the performance charts for best economy.