When should auto-throttles be disconnected?
 

Some captains disconnect simultaneously with the autopilot. Others only disconnect the autopilot & wait til they are some 100 feet above the ground.to disconnect the auto-throttles. I’ve heard that can lead to problems later if disconnection is forgotten.


HD

The 747 Flight Crew Training Manual recommends that after the takeoff and climb the auto throttle should only be used when the autopilot is engaged.

Depends on the airframe and your AOM/FOM.

767. We click A/Toff at 50 feet

Depends on airframe. A/T pretty much stays on all the time on the bus, unless the pilot wants to practice a No-A/T approach (you have to do that in the sim for recurrent).

An A/T MEL is definitely a sit-up-straight and pay careful attention situation for both PF and PM haha.

The correct answer.

Beyond this, its all technique.

Assuming I’m VMC, my preferred technique is AP off no later than 1000’ HAT and AT off no later than 500’ HAT.

Boeings - AP off, AT off; anything else is a combination of general laziness and fear of one's own shadow.

bus is Auto Thrust on the entire flight in most all cases per Airbus philosophy. bus does not have a "throttle" per se

check SOPs / etc for your company

My autothrottle experience is exclusively on Boeings, 757/767 & 747. I’m a firm believer in keeping hand fly skills sharp. I believe autothrottles can be a form of automation complacency.

777 AT is on all the way through landing. Basically until throttle mode goes to "IDLE" at which point they will disconnect automatically when thrust levers are overridden manually or reversers are popped. I too agree that it's good to use the levers manually when you can. Or at least once every few landings.