abstract:An autothrottle (automatic throttle) allows a pilot to control the power setting of an aircraft's engines by specifying a desired flight characteristic, rather than manually controlling fuel flow. These systems can conserve fuel and extend engine life by metering the precise amount of fuel required to attain a specific target indicated air speed, or the assigned power for different phases of flight.
Then he might flyfor hourson theautopilot and finallydisengage it (MAYBE?) below 800 ftafter the gear was down, flaps extended and on airspeed (autothrottle). Then he might bring it in to land.