Quote:
Originally Posted by 8307c4
I do know from simulators, on take off a 90% throttle setting saves a noticeable if little amount of fuel vs. 100% thou all take off procedures I know of call for full throttle at least initially... So whether commercial airline pilots do this is another story, airlines may have changed the procedure thou private small plane pilots (owner-operators) might.
It might save fuel but at some point one questions the integrity of the procedure, it's one thing for a private pilot to do it because of familiarity with the plane he can always give it more or less based on his own judgment... But from a commercial stand point I am not so sure if airlines would allow this.
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I can't be considered an expert by any means -- just an enthusiast and frequent flier (including simulation).
From what I've read, to save fuel and prevent potential failures, a "FLEX" takeoff procedure is often adopted to set the throttle at a percentage of "less-than-full", based on ambient temps, takeoff weight, wind speeds, runway length, etc. etc. (FLEX is the term used by Airbus, Boeing calls it something else, but it looks like the term is interchangeable).
Most engine failures occur at full-throttle, so in addition to fuel savings, it's a safety/longevity issue as well.
I've heard that quite a few Regional Jet operators allow FLEX T/O. For larger airliners I think the flap setting can also effect it -- some aircraft are equipped with an infinite "slider" in certain ranges, instead of a notch for 1, 2, 5...etc. which may alter throttle setting. A real pilot can speak more about it...
RH77