speed limit

[ifly4food]

Atlanta has been to only TRACON that has been real anal about the speed limit, Chicago has queried a couple pilots on occasion... but haven't been near as anal, usually it is a "Nxxxx say speed" and the reply is "250 kts" as you are yanking the thrust levers back to idle.

I'm not sure where you're getting this information. I've flown for 121 airlines based in ORD and ATL and I can tell you that neither are very anal about speed.
ATL REGULARLY ignores the "speed traps" that exist on the arrivals into ATL. Seldomly do you get a crossing speed restriction, and often you get told to keep the speed up. A lot of pilots in ATL actually screw everything up by slowing too soon. (hence my "signature quote", a line from ORD approach to a Delta flight.

Chicago ATC: anything goes. When Chi Approach tells you "max forward speed to the marker, you're number one for the approach", they don't mean 250KT. Legal, no, but when it's the cop telling you to speed up, you're not going to get a ticket. Chicago couldn't care less how fast you go, as long as you get out of their airspace as quickly as possible. Especially on departure.

 

[mikecanfly]

I was wondering the same thing...

I was tuning into Orlando Intl (MCO) tower a couple of days ago on the scanner.

After a huge T-storm came through, they added 15 min. spacing by request of Jax Center. Right after takeoff, tower would tell each aircraft to remain below 250 and contact depature.

I didn't think there was a choice. Last I checked, ATC cannot ask an aircraft to fly above 250 below 10000, can they?

 

[SF3CAP]

Does Southwest have a waiver on that 250-kt rule? Man, I've had the IAS pegged on 250, and I still see those guys going by me! Maybe it's some kinda fancy Southwest-calibrated airspeed indicator...

 

[NJA Capt]

Does Southwest have a waiver on that 250-kt rule? ...I still see those guys going by me!

Yeah...on the taxiway.

 

[TriStar_drvr]

I remember going into Midway as a new FO on the 727. Descending out of the flight levels, ATC assigned us 280 knots. Still new on the airplane, I was working hard to hold exactly 280 indicated (no autothrottles on ATA's 727s). ATC kept stepping us down, finally assigning us to cross a VOR at 6000'. Leveling at 6000 a couple of miles prior to the station, I started to beathe again when the captain said, "I don't mind you doing 280, but ATC might, so maybe you better slow it down. We're not Southwest Airlines!" I about had a heart attack, but the captain and the engineer just laughed.

Another time, going into Los Angeles, I heard this conversation on the radio.

Approach: Continental xxx, say speed.
CO xxx: (after long pause) two fifty.
Approach: Yea right! (with sounds of laughter in the background)

 

[profile]

Re: heavies out of any airport.

Item 1: We often will exceed 250 below 10000, legal under the provisions of FAR 91.117(d). At max TOGW the MD-11 climbs at 289kts indicated before accelerating at 10000'.

Item 2: The 250 kt restriction does not apply to the above (although we do advise them of the planned speed (if above 250) when there's a limit just to help them out in their planning), but they are instead thinking of the speed as the aircraft pass 10000'. Most jet aircraft accelerate to normal climb speed at that time (it's 355 kts indicated for our MD-11s).

Item 3: Not really related to the above, but I also give ATC a courtesy advisory of our approach speed when really heavy so they don't try to sequence us in too tight. When very heavy it's 167kts without any special additives such as strong winds or gust, etc. Not pretty if they try to sequence us in tight behind a 737, etc.

 

[jetdriven]

250 is correct except for one class B...IAH.

correct....sort of.. Speeds in excess of 250KIAS are only approved in the houston class B on departure (not arrival) and only when accompanied by the phrase "no speed limit". it is not automatic. SFAR

ex. "Jetlink 3585 cleared direct Palacios no speed limit"

 

[wingnutt]

Approach: Continental xxx, say speed.
CO xxx: (after long pause) two fifty.
Approach: Yea right! (with sounds of laughter in the background)

LOL...ive heard that before

 

[jetdriven]

ive heard this:


Tulsa Approach: "gulfstream XXX say speed."
Gulfstream XXX: (young voice) "Two hundred and Eigh.."
long pause
Gulfstream XXX: "(capt. greyhair) "Two fifty"
Tulsa Approach: "Oh really! Back it down to 220, your overtaking an MU-2 by 100 knots!"

I laughed my A$$ off!!