Normal speeds

[fokkerjet]

With our Fokker, we normally climb above 10,000 ft at 280 kts, cruise at 300kts when FL270 and below and descend at 300 kts back to 10,000 ft. How does this compare with B737's and DC9/MD80/B717's?

 

[SWA GUY]

At SWA, in all but the -200, we fly box speeds for the climb outta 10,000. Due to a headwind or tailwind, the box will project the most fuel efficient speed. The speeds can range, generally, from about 275 to 315 depending on the situation.

If we level off prior to the Flight Levels, on the climb side, we fly 300kts or .72M whichever is lower.

In cruise, and in the Flight Levels, we fly what the box says to fly, unless of course ATC or turbulence is a factor.

In the descent, we fly what the box says to fly, normally your cruise speed until the transition. Then its usually 280kts. If we level off, between the Flight Levels and 10,000, we fly 280kts.

That's what the book says at least....Although I've never seen anything different, I've HEARD some people fly a little bit faster than that.

 

[MLBWINGBORN]

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[justApilot]

S80...box speeds in the climb somewhere between 280-320, .76-.78 (flight plan speed) range for cruise, I never use the box for the descent

or

310/.74 in the climb, .76-78 (whatever the flight plan calls for), and flight plan mach to 310 speed in the descent

 

[Dr. Hootie]

Just wondering what a "box speed" is if anyone cares to enlighten me.

 

[CoopDog]

It's all about costs

In the FMC, you type in a cost index (i.e., a number which has meaning to the bean counters). Usually your airline will have a favorite figure. Then the box (FMC) figures out your optimum speeds based on your weight, temps, cruise altitude, etc., given the cost index that you input. This helps optimize the airplane's performance vs. fuel burn during the flight.

So you typically fly the speeds that "the box" says. If you deviate too much from it, you may burn more fuel than the company would like.....not a good thing.

 

[RUhiring?]

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One word........

Burbank

 

[fokkerjet]

Thanks gang

Thanks for the replies. I guess we aren't that big of a roadblock after all.

 

[justApilot]

Fokker...
We got stuck behind one of you guys one night who refused to climb faster than 250......doh!

 

[F/O]

Fokkerjet

You are talking about an F28, or F100?

 

[Snoopy58]

Cost Index of 28 in -300/-500, or 36 in a -700.

Of course, if you get an "expect holding at ___, airspeed your discretion" on the way in to, say, STL, you can change the cost index to a 0 & you'll get max economy speed (since you might as well get to your holding fix as efficiently as possible).

Or, if you get a request for "max forward airspeed," put in a cost index of 200 & the box will automatically figure your arrival fuel & descent profiles & such around that parameter. Mike's technique gets used in that situation as well (or so I've heard).

Cheers!

 

[fokkerjet]

Our speeds are for the F100.

 

[profile]

Fokker, don't kid yourself, all of you guys are nothing but roadblocks to us in the MD-11! ;-)

 

[CODs4ever]

justApilot,

Nice shot gettin covered up. Where was that pic taken? Color of the water reminds me of SoCal, looks a little like Salt Creek...without the crowd!

- Just another Fellow Dawn Patroller

 

[Skank]

It looks like the spot in Baja, Natividad. Or maybe Baja Malibu (Spitters)....wish I were there.

 

[mach none]

How about fast enough to make happy hour.

 

[46Driver]

How Slow Can You Go!!!!!
We climb at 265/.55M in the Dornier 328 Jet and cruise at 290/.64M. Rumor has it that we are being fitted for one of those agricultural slow moving reflective triangles....

 

[atldc9]

ON the 717-200, we use a Cost index of 30, and then use box speeds for the majority of the profile- from t/o until in the close in approach phase. Typically this will give us climb speeds of between 288 and 311 kias, for the climb, with crossover at between .765 and .779. Descents usually are right at 300 kias.

 

[750driver]

Fokker, don't kid yourself, all of you guys are nothing but roadblocks to us in the MD-11! ;-)

I know the feeling .... you guys are all slow-pokes (j/k )

 

[chperplt]

On the Beech 1900, we use the posterior index to figure out power settings. You take the enroute time in minutes and multiply it by how much you've had to drink in liters, then divide by 1.0 if you are going to be underblock for the month, or 1.5 if you are overblock. The resultant percentage is your % torque to be used.