The throttle quadrant of a B737 incorporates many important controls: engine thrust levers, reverse thrust, speed brakes, flaps, stabilizer trim, engine start levers, and the parking brake. The tactile feel and appearance of these controls are an important component in making the flight simulator realistic.
There is a huge variation in price for throttle quadrants build for flight simulators. The two main factors determining cost are the build materials and the degree of motorization of the controls. The most inexpensive throttle quadrant are not motorized and constructed from plastic parts. This inexpensive type of throttle quadrant is adequate for a home flight simulator that is built in stages due to expense limitations. In airline operations the aircraft is usually flown with the autothrottle engaged, so thrust levers that are non-motorized do not realistically emulate the real aircraft.
This simulator has a top-of-the line B737NG PRO-MX Throttle Unit with full motorization. The throttle quadrant is integrated with the flight simulator with an Ethernet interface. It is constructed from aluminum. All the complex dimensions, levers, labels reflect the appearance of an real aircraft’s throttle quadrant. Manual lever movement is realistic in tactile feel. The unit has integrated lighting, so all the labels are clearly visible in a dark flight deck.
The following components are fully motorized: thrust levers, stabilizer trim wheels, and speed brakes. The stabilizer trim wheels will rotate based when the manual control yoke trim switches are pushed or in automatic flights as directed by the autopilot. The speed brake lever is also motorized and when armed prior to landing, it will fully deploy upon aircraft touchdown. If thrust is then advanced beyond a certain point, the speed brake lever will fully retract and lock. The parking brake lever is a solenoid switch, and it will automatically release when the rudder pedal toe brakes are pressed. All these functions emulate real aircraft behavior.
