It seems some have the ability to go from 0 to maximum speed.
I'm wondering how they do it?
If they can.. its a hack.
I don't fly by keyboard .. but here is my 2 cents on how you might come close to the above. Note my speed key may be wrong .. but you get the picture.
You don't need a macro or programable keyboard as you describe. You can hit "1" to go to minimum engine speed (which will eventually cut engine) and then immdediatly go to max speed by hitting "0".
Where a programmable keyboard comes in handy is that you can program one key from 128 to 256 stored characters (depends on keyboard). You program one key something like the following:
Programed Key depressed results in the following being sent to the game
1 (num)
F
B
0 (num)
B
F
end program key
What the above does is bring the engine to 1 speed, puts flaps on, applies air breaks, takes the engine back to 100%, takes the air breaks off, flaps off, and it does this with one keystroke.
Note that the engine reduced speed and engine max speed is NOT instantaneous .. it follows the same game time line as normal. The advantage here is that all the keystroks will be executed far faster than you can type them! So one could blip that key several times to futher the affect. One could also split the above example into two keys where the min speed, flaps on and break on is one key, and another key for full throttle, flaps off and break off.
I don't think this will give you that 'advantage' you seem to be looking for .. but it does cut several keys down to simply depressing one key.
Also note you have to be a 'keyboard' pilot to use the macro .. if you have a 'stick' as your primary input within the game settings .. keyboard commands may not be applicable.
Macro so far I've not been able to find one that really works with AA. If you know of one .. let us know because it would be good for "Ref" functions.
Do they have an external program helping in some way? 
Or is it possible to have a programable keyboard set up so that you hit 1 key that cuts engine to 0 then hit another key to have full throttle? 
? hehe
