Question about climb/descent rates

[mobie]

Most ATC world wide think that you will use 5xgroundspeed for the rate. 400kts=2000 fpm.

 

[Sctt@NJA]

Little bit of apples and oranges. Pilots discretion: They probably don't care too much what you do.

Crossing restriction: probably don't care much what you do as long as you meet the restriction.

Plain old descent clearance: Depends on where you are, but likely 2000fpm is expected. I have seen it many times flying with someone especially in the NY area, where they descend slow because we are far out, only to have ATC tell us to increase descent rate.

Sometimes I encourage FOs to pick up the rate so ATC wont have to.

500 fpm is good for unpressurized airplanes, but that isn't what we are flying, and thats not how ATC will expect us to fly.

 

[ashaman]

For those of you that are concerned about ATC telling you to increase your rate of descent, why are you concerned? If a pilot wants to descend at 500fpm to conserve fuel, that's his prerogative. If ATC needs you to 'pick-up' your rate of descent they'll tell you. So what if they do? Are we to fly around wasting fuel by descending out of altitude earlier or faster than necessary just because we're afraid that ATC will tell us to increase our rate of descent? A professional pilot should try to conserve fuel and that means staying as high as possible as long as possible (consistent with meeting xing restrictions, explicit ATC directives, etc.).
My suggestion would be to politely explain your reasoning once. If the PIC is too dense to understand, better just go along with what he/she wants and swallow your pride and common sense.

 

[ksu_aviator]

Ok, I found the closest thing to an optimum rate in the Air Traffic Controller's Handbook, Appendix A. They have listed the average rate of descent and climb based upon the aircraft's performance.

http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/atc/Appendices/atcapda.html

Now, the way I understand the link, the numbers listed are an average and are not hard and fast. Therefore, the best guideline is probably this. If you can't maintain the required 500 fpm climb or descent report it. Other wise, fly the descent profile that best fits the situation. Yes, there is more than one profile to descend with. I use the 3 degree when I'm facing a head wind and then I use fpm for tail winds. The idea being I go as far as I can as I high as I can until I reach a preset fpm that is steep, but do-able and comfortable for the passengers.