ATC expected descent rate

[AdlerDriver]

atLEAST 1500fpm, but 2k or greater is ideal. The guys that give a 500fpm descents off the bat, and then when atc asks to increase rate of descent they go up to 7-800fpm ruin it for everyone else often, and make the controller issue blanket descent rates since the guy earlier in the day burned him or really increased his workload.

In my opinion, only time you should be descending at less than 1500fpm (2000fpm ideally) is one of three things: descending with PD, meeting a restriction, or about to level.

Bill,
Are you basing the 1500fpm on personal experience or do you have an actual reference to support it?

The only thing I've found in writing (AIM), says you should notify ATC if you are unable to climb or descend at least 500fpm. If ATC is expecting something else, they should publish it so we know what they expect. Not make us guess from day to day.

 

[siucavflight]

Bill, how long did you spend filling out the aircraft flown section? Really all that is pertinent is what you are currently flying.

 

[stupidpilot]

Sorry.
The "reinvent the wheel guy" got me POed.

Thanks.:beer:

 

[BillJBrake]

siucavflight: how long did you spend reading my A/C flown section? obviously, not long enough.

tailwinds!

 

[siucavflight]

I did not pass the reading comprehension test!

 

[Lynxman]

He's a wanna be pilot wishing he would be able to fly those planes.

 

[siucavflight]

Yes, you figured me out.

 

[crzepilot]

Oh and controls sort of suck to by the way!

 

[Cat3C]

climb/descend

whew...this post sure got everyone spooled up. Group hug boys, the keg is tapped, help yourself.

 

[SplitBar]

We were at FL340 and told to descend to FL330. I spun in VS -500 and the brand new FO was quick to chime in...."ATC wants at least 1000 FPM". I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I continued with my 500 FPM descent.

 

[2ndGenPSA]

It would be nice to hear from a controller on this. We pilots do have to guess what the controller wants in most cases. This, however, is part of what makes a good pilot. Pay attention to your surroundings. If you're descending over the Plains into Kansas from FL400, the expected descent rate may be a bit different than if you were descending into JFK, with tons of radio chatter, TCAS screen alive and chirping, weather deviations, etc. In the latter case, I think it prudent to dial in more than 500fpm!
Are there any controllers to offer guidance?
I remember during the prop days as an FO, we were descending into PHL from the west. My captain ALWAYS used 500fpm to gain some airspeed. One day, the controller asked for our descent rate. I replied "500fpm," while my cheeks burned red as I prepared for the controller's bark. Sure enough, he said to increase our descent rate, followed by "have you ever flown into PHL before?!!?"
The argument could be made that 500fpm WAS optimum for our aircraft, as it saved fuel and added airspeed, but we are also expected to use common sense.

 

[Headwind]

If in RVSM airspace the last 1000' up or down must be 1000 fpm or less.

 

[BEfly]

Yes, you figured me out.

That chik is hott

 

[ultrarunner]

The point was that he didn't have to be a jerk about it.

He might be stressed with facing a furlough...

 

[Way2Broke]

Can any controllers please tell me what the decent rates given in 7110.65R are for. For example, it cites that a Boeing 737's decent rate is 3500 fpm. Does this mean that ATC views this as the maximum rate of descent.

Just on a side bar, it also lists the climb for the 737 at 5500 fpm.

How do they determine these numbers?

 

[BillJBrake]

Google is your friend...


http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/acdesig.html

 

[THE Flying Ace]

Whoa! That says the mighty Citation 550 (II) will climb at 5300 fpm. I don't think I have ever gone up that fast and there have been some days where it has been extremely cold and we have been really light. Makes me wonder where these numbers have come from.

 

[kf4amu]

Whoa! That says the mighty Citation 550 (II) will climb at 5300 fpm. I don't think I have ever gone up that fast and there have been some days where it has been extremely cold and we have been really light. Makes me wonder where these numbers have come from.

Yea it says the Dash is 1500fpm in a descent. HA!

 

[BrownStreak]

Google is your friend...


http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/acdesig.html

And here I thought all of your aviation wisdom had been gained driving the low lead truck to the bulk plant. Let the pilots talk about pilot stuff...you should be on the board about which cleaner works the best for getting bugs and bird sh!t off the airplanes.

Before any of you get all fired up, I fueled for almost 8 years before I flew for money...and I know now like I knew then that I didn't know SH!T about doing the pilots' jobs then.

Hey, Bill...are they still making everyone suffer through 8 hours of videos yearly about how fuel is to be filtered/measured/pumped/maintained/whatever?

 

[BillJBrake]

*yawn*