There are described methods and systems for controlling an aircraft. The system comprises a power plant controller configured for controlling operation of an engine and a propeller coupled to the engine, a power throttle having at least one throttle lever to regulate output power of the engine and thrust produced by the propeller, and an autothrottle controller operatively connected to the power plant controller and to the power throttle and configured to modulate engine power without pilot input by causing a change to at least one setting of the power throttle.