In commercial airliners why do both pilots have their hand on the throttles when taking off?

Answer 1

This policy varies from operator to operator (different airlines, etc.). However, the basis for this policy is to assure that the throttles remain at full power throughout the takeoff roll and initial climb, so any vibration (whether from a rough runway, engine vibration, harmonic vibrations, etc.) cannot cause one or both throttles (or condition levers, or propeller and mixture controls) to retard during this critical phase of flight. Either could create significant problems, and if one engine reduced power due to a slipping friction lock, it would be diagnosed as an engine failure, and a good engine would be shut down, along with the reduced performance and control problems at low speed and low altitude. For those operators who follow this practice, there is also a predetermined protocol as to which pilot will handle the throttles/prop/mixture controls in the event of an actual engine failure during takeoff or initial climb (usually the pilot flying), and the other will immediately remove his hands from the throttle quadrant when the pilot flying calls "engine failure."

Answer 2

because on most commercial airliners such as the Boeing 747 there are 4 engines which would mean in the cockpit there are 4 throttles the pilot on the right puts his hands on 2 of the throttles and the pilot on left puts his hands on 2 throttles and then they both push up at the same time one pilot cant push up both throttles by himself it would be hard because its to wide and also pushing up the throttles is hard

Answer 3

The should have their hands on the throttle only till the v1 speed is achieved. That's mainly because in case of an emergency the flying pilot can quickly reduce throttle and apply reverse thrust. After v1 speed is recalled there is no chance of stopping the aircraft keeping mind all factors no matter what happens you have to rotate the aircraft from the ground so they move their hand and pull the yoke or the stick to lift off.

Answer 4

You have been watching too many movies.

With the B-52 they often did that because there were EIGHT throttles and they wanted to make sure they pushed them all equally and at the same time.

That may have carried over into the airline industry with the four engine planes.

But today with more and more two engine planes coming out and an automatic equalizer on the system, there is no need for both pilots to have their hands on the throttle at the same time.

Answer 5

Turboprops have two sets of levers, one for throttle, the other condition.
Once throttles are set to full power, the condition levers are used to adjust prop pitch.
Both are operated by the Pilot, although the Flight Engineer or Copilot may adjust the throttles a touch to obtain even operating limits.

Answer 6

........... in fact only pilot in command is to have hands on throttle .......... even while giving flying to co-pilot, the hands on throttle is that of the pilot in command .... in case any reject decision is taken ......... in turbo-prop days the throttles used to vibrate and start to move back at times and that time co-pilot had to help keep the levers in place ........ since earlier time the lever had to be in intermediate position depending on the EPR settings, to help it stay in that position co-pilot always helped with the throttles ....... its a different story now .

Answer 7

pilot and co-pilot do that as a saftey precaution as take off is very stressful on the plane and a lot of things can go wrong in just a second or two.

Answer 8

One to push it forward and the other to help get it there and keep it steady

Answer 9

They look cooler that way.
Just like racers having their hands on the gear shaft.

Answer 10

It is just an excuse to hold hands.