Learn how to use autothrottle while steering manually, keep heading control off, verify active modes, and fix pitch-mode or control-binding mistakes.
Yes. In flight simulators generally, autothrottle or autothrust can control engine power while you steer manually. Arm and activate the thrust system, select a target speed, leave the autopilot or its lateral modes disengaged, and confirm the active thrust mode on the flight-mode annunciator. Aircraft-specific logic still applies.
How do I use autothrottle while steering manually?
Use the autothrottle as a separate system and leave the autopilot disconnected. The two perform different jobs: autothrottle controls thrust, while the autopilot's lateral modes control bank and direction. Our explanation of how simulator autopilot and thrust-control systems divide their jobs covers that distinction in more detail.
- Confirm that the aircraft has autothrottle. Look for a dedicated
A/T,A/THRor equivalent control. An autopilotIASor speed mode by itself may control pitch rather than engine power. - Select the target speed. Set the required indicated airspeed or Mach number using the aircraft's speed selector. Choose a sensible target for the configuration and phase of flight.
- Arm and activate autothrottle. Arming the system is not always enough; some aircraft also require an active speed or thrust mode. Airbus-style autothrust may require the thrust levers to remain in the prescribed airborne detent.
- Keep the autopilot disconnected. Do not engage heading hold, heading select or navigation modes. A heading bug and flight-director bars may remain visible, but they cannot move the aircraft while the autopilot is off.
- Check the flight-mode annunciator. Confirm an active thrust mode rather than relying only on an illuminated arm switch. Make a gentle manual turn and verify that the aircraft follows your controls while thrust changes to maintain speed.
The flight-mode annunciator is the decisive check. In Airbus simulations, the physical thrust levers may remain stationary while autothrust changes commanded engine power, so lever animation alone does not show whether the system is working.
What changes between aircraft types?
The required controls depend on whether the simulated aircraft uses conventional autothrottle, Airbus-style autothrust or pitch-based speed control.
| System | Typical setup | What remains manual |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional transport autothrottle | Arm A/T, select IAS or Mach, then activate the appropriate speed or thrust mode | Roll, heading and pitch when the autopilot is off |
| Airbus-style autothrust | Keep A/THR active and place the thrust levers in the prescribed detent for that phase of flight | Sidestick inputs and flight path, subject to the aircraft's fly-by-wire protections |
| Simple general-aviation autopilot | Often has no independent autothrottle | Throttle remains manual; an IAS mode may change pitch instead |
For an A320-family simulation, use the A320 autothrust mode and lever-position checks if A/THR is armed but not controlling speed.
Why does speed hold change pitch instead of throttle?
Speed hold changes pitch when it is an autopilot airspeed mode rather than a true autothrottle mode. Modes such as IAS or flight-level change commonly raise or lower the nose to maintain speed during a climb or descent while the pilot sets thrust.
If the aircraft has no dedicated autothrottle, it cannot maintain speed by moving the throttles automatically. You must manage power yourself or choose an aircraft that models autothrottle. The distinction between thrust-controlled and pitch-controlled speed is also covered in our MSFS 2024 speed-control guidance.
Why does autothrottle turn off with the autopilot?
Autothrottle normally remains available with the autopilot off in many simulated transport aircraft, but aircraft logic, control assignments or an incorrect mode can disconnect it.
- The wrong command is assigned: a combined disconnect function may cancel both systems instead of disconnecting only the autopilot.
- The system is merely armed: an
ARMindication does not mean a thrust mode is actively controlling the engines. - A hardware throttle overrides it: moving a throttle axis—or noise from that axis—can override or disconnect autothrottle in some aircraft.
- The thrust levers are in the wrong position: Airbus-style systems rely on lever detents to define the available autothrust range.
- The aircraft uses simplified avionics: some basic or older simulations couple speed control to the main autopilot and do not model independent autothrottle.
After a disconnect, return the thrust controls to the expected position, clear any warning, re-arm autothrottle and select the required active mode. Check for duplicated assignments on the keyboard, throttle quadrant and joystick. In FSX, our keyboard and autopilot command reference identifies the separate autothrottle, airspeed-hold and autopilot-master controls.
Can I hold altitude while steering manually?
Usually not with a conventional autopilot, because engaging it normally gives the system control of both pitch and roll. Even without heading select, it may enter a roll-hold or wings-level mode that resists manual steering.
A few aircraft model control-wheel steering or split-axis functions, but these are aircraft-specific and should not be assumed. For unrestricted manual heading control, leave the autopilot off, keep autothrottle active, and control both pitch and bank yourself. Autothrottle will manage power or speed; it will not maintain altitude or stop an unwanted climb or descent.