Definition
The specific engine output values a pilot selects to achieve a desired flight condition such as climb, cruise, descent, or approach. In jet aircraft these are normally expressed as thrust settings (for example, N1 or EPR), and in propeller aircraft as power settings (for example, manifold pressure combined with propeller RPM, or torque combined with RPM). Published thrust/power settings are taken from the aircraft flight manual and are matched to weight, altitude, temperature, and configuration to produce predictable performance.
Plain English
The engine numbers a pilot dials in to make the aircraft do what is needed at that moment — climb, cruise, descend, or slow for landing. Jets use thrust numbers; piston and turboprop aircraft use power numbers. The flight manual tells you which numbers to set for each phase of flight.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft performance discussions, approach planning, and instrument flight profiles where pilots use known engine settings to get predictable aircraft performance.
Derivation
Thrust refers to the forward force an engine produces, most commonly used for jet engines where the engine pushes the aircraft directly. Power refers to the rate of doing work, used for propeller aircraft where the engine turns a propeller that produces thrust. The two words are paired here because the same idea — selecting an engine output for a given flight condition — applies to both, but the instruments and units differ.
Why Pilots Care
Choosing the right thrust or power keeps the aircraft on the correct flight path and airspeed, preventing unstable approaches or altitude deviations.
Intuition Check
Do not read “settings” as one fixed number that works every time. The correct thrust/power setting depends on the aircraft, conditions, and phase of flight, and the pilot must confirm that the aircraft is actually performing as expected.
Example Sentence 1
After level-off, the pilot reduced to the cruise thrust/power settings published in the flight manual for that altitude and temperature.
Example Sentence 2
Higher thrust/power settings were required to maintain airspeed while turning onto final approach.