2007-11-02 09:46:09 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
On older jets the lack of engine computers and overspeed governors etc. The both don't really push the throttles as much as the copilot keeping the pilot from overspeeding the engines...or undershooting the required take off power settings. I flew a learjet 25 for a couple of years...it was this way..if i just jammed the throttles forward on take off it would have overtemped and sped the engines..so the guy in the right seat would adjust them once i got within 2 or 3 percent....
Now, on the Hawker 800 like I am in now...if the computers are working correctly I can jam the throttles forward and it will not let the engines go past the desired take off power setting...this eliminates the need for 2 hands on the throttles...other than the finger tap for V1...good luck...hope this helps....
Jonathan S
ATP-LRJET,HS-125
CFI/AGI
2007-11-02 10:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by Captain J 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Don't vote for me, the other answers have covered the question. All I have to add is that Lancasters don't have co-pilots, they have flight engineers, the guy in the left seat does all the flying. But on the old bombers the main reason was to hold the engines at maximum power for takeoff, a B17 with 6,000 lbs or a Lancaster with 14,000 lbs (typical loads) needs all the available power to crawl into the air.
Sorry Calnickel (I seem to be on your case today), the JT9D engines on the early Boeing 747s most definitely needed careful handling if they weren't to be damaged. The 747 first flew in 1970. Only the modern digitally controlled engines are entirely safe from pilots excesses.
2007-11-02 11:03:36 · answer #2 · answered by Chris H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In older planes like the B17,Lancaster,DC3 the throttle levers had a habit of not staying on full power at take off therefore the co pilot would take the throttle levers as the pilot would need both hands on the stick to pull the plane off the ground.Now its sort of still treated as a safety measure on all multi engined aircraft.
2007-11-02 10:39:51 · answer #3 · answered by Francis7 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Like Dankoko said, in aircraft with traditional engine controls, the pilot flying pushes the thrust levers to the approximate takeoff setting while the pilot not flying tweaks them to the precomputed takeoff power setting.
In more modern aircraft with FADEC or EEC, you put the thrust levers into a takeoff detent and the brains figure out how much power to give you based on ambient conditions. In this situation, only one person should manipulate the controls.
Why people voted Dankoko down I don't know, sounded right on to me.
2007-11-02 10:20:01 · answer #4 · answered by Mike Tyson 3 · 7⤊ 2⤋
They don't.
The F/O (or flight engineer) sets the power for takeoff and then the captain holds the thrust levers in preparation for a aborted takeoff (since he is the one who calls the abort and moves the levers to idle). New jets have a TOGA switch that sets the power automatically.
After V1, the takeoff decision speed, the captain lets go of the levers as a signal that the plane is committed to takeoff. Then the F/O grabs the levers in preparation for maximum thrust in case of an engine failure and to set power for climb/noise abatement.
Any turbine engine made after 1960 is in no danger of over speeding or over thrusting. We used to do a jam throttle acceleration from idle to full power on the 727 to test the engine after installation. The new FADEC engines are even better (and accelerate faster).
2007-11-02 10:41:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Because the pilot who is flying is concentrating more on controlling the aircraft. The "non-flying pilot" fine tunes the throttles to ensure the proper setting. This is only true on older jets as newer ones are "computer assisted" and are much easier to set with little attention.
Thanks Tyson, it seems there are many non-pilots who try to login and answer.
It was probably Jacob that gave the thumbs down. Believe me Jacob, if something "happens" on your next "maneuver" go ahead and leave your hands in there, its a very good way to lose a finger.
2007-11-02 09:58:45 · answer #6 · answered by DanKoko 3 · 9⤊ 4⤋
they need maximum engine power to takeoff with full fuel tank and the load of aircraft. it heavy to takeoff because of full fuel tank. some aircraft will dump the fuel before landing to prevent heavy landing....
2007-11-04 20:33:01 · answer #7 · answered by arcetera 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
In case something happens to one of them during that maneuver, then it still gets pushed.
2007-11-02 09:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 10⤋