Hi,Recently a lot of my approaches have not been as they should be, and I have narrowed it down to the Auto Throttle not being activated and having to juggle throttle manually on approach ( a bad scenario ). Could I have just a few points on correct panel settings which will ensure activation of Auto Throttle please for the -800. I know the APP must be selected on left side of panel and then at approach LOC/APP with correct freq selected for arrival rw , and then APP for the glideslope, but speed is imperative so all good advice to ensure A/T speed control activated welcome....I do try to activate AT but it toggles back to the off position?Berne :(

....I do try to activate AT but it toggles back to the off position?

Berne,This typically happens if you've forgotten to switch both engine generators ON after engine start.If you want to perform a complete automatic landing (autoland), you should have both autopilots ON when stabilized on the glide slope, while on the contrary, for manual landing, you want neither AT nor autopilot ON.Bruno

Is the A/T active for the rest of the flight? Does it work on T/O?

Cheers Bruno / Spin737,Great help, I bet its a generator issue. Yes Spin737 many times I have found that the AT is not usable on txi out or dep again though It could be my inappropriate use of the engine generators, Ill double check if ON after lighting up, txi, dep ect and make a note to reply.Berne

Is the A/T active for the rest of the flight? Does it work on T/O?

Hi Berne,apart the source of your problem I think that you could also training and/or "refresh" yourself about manual (no autothrottle) approach,as in real life a pilot could be always ready to manually control his/her airplane:you know: automatics could always fail and you, as captain, should anyway know pitch/power settings required for a safe approach and should easily perform a completely manual approach if necessary.Anyway handflying the PMDG 737 is easy and smooth!Best RegardsAndrea Buono - Como I

If you want to perform a complete automatic landing (autoland), you should have both autopilots ON when stabilized on the glide slope, while on the contrary, for manual landing, you want neither AT nor autopilot ON.Bruno

Interesting, even in manual wouldn't the AT be On rather than Off in 737NG most of landings? Like it is mostly On in Airbus series on manual landings.Thanks,Dirk.

Interesting, even in manual wouldn't the AT be On rather than Off in 737NG most of landings? Like it is mostly On in Airbus series on manual landings.Thanks,Dirk.

Boeing says no. That doesn't stop some from de-selecting the speed mode so you'd have a min-speed protection. Not a bad idea, but it's not in the books.