>>1246599>Don't even get me started on throttle/thrust levers that don't move as autothrottle manages the engines.That's the FADEC though. The FADEC has a number of detent positions as well as variable thrust levels.
For all normal flight, the thrust levers are left in one of 3 detents, a cruise detent, climb/flex detend and a TO/GA detent. When the pilot sets the thrust levers to a certain detent, the FADEC will maintain a consistent and adequete level of thrust for the detent it is in.
Think of it as setting the thrust to a certain mode.
In TO/GA maximum thrust will always be given. On takeoff, Flex will provide a limited amount of thrust according to assumed temperature. When above V2, the Airbus system will then switch from Flex to Climb and will provide a high level of thrust for lower altitude/speed flying with the thrust being applied being adjusted for factors such as climb rate or target altitude. Cruise will allow the aircraft to fly either according to the Flight Manager or in Speed Mode, where the A/T will keep the aircraft at a constant airspeed.
A lack of understanding of the FADEC system is what leads people to think that this is an unergonomic design, however, the fuel efficiency savings from the use of a FADEC as well as smoother and more responsive engines are the bigger advantages.
