Descent rates in a jet

[User546]

Ditto! I do the same, if they ask me to start down before the 3 degree path, I give them 500 fpm, then whatever gives me 3 degrees (GS/2 x 10)+5 or 10 NM to slow down to 250 depending on winds

I found this method much easier.

Hit "VNAV" button on FMS --> Type in Intersection --> Type in what altitude to be at --> Type in how far out you want to be at that altitude --> (ENTER) --> Then either wait for the VNAV cross to center up on my screen, or start down at the calculated descent rate the box gave me.

I find that much more reliable then what my remedial math skills produce at times! Some of these formulas simply make my head spin at times!

 

[Flechas]

I found this method much easier.

Hit "VNAV" button on FMS --> Type in Intersection --> Type in what altitude to be at --> Type in how far out you want to be at that altitude --> (ENTER) --> Then either wait for the VNAV cross to center up on my screen, or start down at the calculated descent rate the box gave me.

I find that much more reliable then what my remedial math skills produce at times! Some of these formulas simply make my head spin at times!

I also do that and back it up with math, or viceversa. Sometimes for some reason, the VNAV glideslope doesn't come up, because we changed the runway or something else, and I forget to put the restriction in the box. When that happens I already have an estimate of when and to start down and at what rate.

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

Eh screw that, the CRJ has the "banana bar". Just roll in your descent altitude, start descending and you'll see where you'll level off on the MFD. Call me lazy!

 

[Flechas]

Lazy!

 

[FlyChicaga]

I descend at whatever rate I feel like, GOSH.

 

[FracCapt]

Wow....all this complicated crap just to figure out how to make a crossing restriction? Half of the jurassic jets I fly don't do VNAV well(or we can't figure out how to make that specific FMS - one of 5 or 6 types in our aircraft - to do it exactly right). In those cases, altitude to lose times 3 works for me. Start down that many miles out. Add a few miles if you have to slow to 250.

 

[Mmmmmm Burritos]

I descend at whatever rate I feel like, GOSH.

Idiots!

 

[Lead Sled]

Wow....all this complicated crap just to figure out how to make a crossing restriction? Half of the jurassic jets I fly don't do VNAV well(or we can't figure out how to make that specific FMS - one of 5 or 6 types in our aircraft - to do it exactly right). In those cases, altitude to lose times 3 works for me. Start down that many miles out. Add a few miles if you have to slow to 250.

Hey, that's the way we did it in antique jets I used to fly. The only thing we did different was to use 6 times the groundspeed as the descent rate. You could nail any crossing restriction. However, I admit that coupled VNAVs are nice. (I guess that I'm getting lazy in my old age. )

'Sled

 

[421Driver]

That descent rate formula is awesome, it's INCREDIBLE!

Alt loss * 3 and add 10%. Then the GS/2*10. good rules!

 

[b82rez]

I descend at whatever rate I feel like, GOSH.

Yeah but you have to have skills. Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills