Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

Max Continuous thrust

Asked by: 8062 views Aerodynamics, Commercial Pilot

What is Max continuous thrust? When do we use it? Is it same as max power?

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

2 Answers



  1. JumboSi on Jul 10, 2018

    Hi
    Max Continuous Thrust (MCT) is the highest power setting that a jet engine is certified to be operated in without limit. It is less than max power. In general, max power is referred to as Take off or Go around thrust. In Airbus- TOGA and in some Boeings G/A.

    MCT will be higher than climb power in lower pressure altitudes but once into higher levels (FL200’s, say) will be about the same.

    MCT is used following an engine failure either after the aircraft is accelerated and clean or after the time limit for TOGA power is reached – mostly around about 10 minutes – to achieve the best rate of climb. Some pilots will use it if an expedited climb is requested or there is benefit in achieving altitude quickly for procedural or other ATC reaasons.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 1 Votes



  2. Brian on Sep 22, 2018

    Thrust and power should not be used interchangeably. If you fly something with a propeller then power is your go to. In a jet thrust will be your reference. Some pistons and most jets have a max setting and a max continuous setting. Rotax engines, for example, have a 5 minute max power to be used for takeoff/go around before a reduction to max continuous power.

    Most jet aircraft will have a whole variety of power settings for different operations. Max thrust in an Embraer 170/175/190 is Go Around Reserve and occurs when an engine failure happens, windsheer, or the pilot selects max thrust. Max continuous is selected following recovery from an engine failure when reaching 1500 feet by our operating procedures. Takeoff/normal go around thrust is selected for takeoff and a two engine go around. This thrust setting remains up to 1,000 feet if memory serves. At this time the computer shifts to climb one or climb two settings. Our procedures default to climb 2 and climb 1 is used if we need the performance. Max continuous and go around + reserve (max thrust) are used only in life or death situations.

    Back to thrust vs power. In a propeller aircraft the power curve remains relatively constant through a range of speeds while the thrust curve varies widely with changes in speed. The reverse is true with a jet, thrust remains constant with speed and power varies widely with changes in speed. For this reason when we discuss a propeller aircraft, power is used for simplicity and for a jet thrust is used.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.