Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
To:  lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:06:56 -0500
Message-ID: <redirect-3301555@logan.com>
Received-SPF: pass
 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=74.126.18.170; envelope-from=lorn@dynacomm.us
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=default; d=dynacomm.us;
	h=Received:Message-Id:From:To:Content-Type:Content-Transfer-Encoding:Mime-Version:Subject:Date:Cc:X-Mailer:X-AntiAbuse:X-AntiAbuse:X-AntiAbuse:X-AntiAbuse:X-AntiAbuse;
	b=GTHh18nb0ecdJzcm0G9PELZy0IKx51V2Uuh2DZH5hzH9/sIN5Fmp+/Wuy0QQ/MHZeZw8mImquseZki/3bxz6h4vz/OLINSuSYuXpQSfRRDhouh8/fsSuLDL8KEFVqWW8;
From: Lorn H Olsen <lorn@dynacomm.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v929.2)
Subject: Re: Preferred Decent Angle (LIVP) for Arrival (using Chelton)

Jeff,

When I flew a C340 I did most of my descents at 1,000 fpm, when  
possible. Ask ATC for lower when you are ready to descend. Most of the  
time they will give you the lower altitude. Sometimes, they are not so  
agreeable. Last month I was told to be "at or below" an altitude that  
would have required a 6,000 fpm descent. When I said that I couldn't  
do that, the controller ask me to do a 180. In this particular case, I  
told the controller that I knew a trick and cancelled IFR.

I know that if you can't maintain a 500 fpm climb, you need to report  
that to ATC. I believe that is the same for the descent.

In my 320, I set my 396 to descend me at 400, 500 or 1,000 fpm  
depending on winds aloft. Sometimes I want to stay at 16,000 feet  
longer for the tailwind. Sometimes I want to make use of the potential  
energy for the speed. I change the descent profile on most of my  
flights.

Your question of "what is the most common descent angle" is like  
asking, "what is the most common wind aloft". If possible you should  
change your descent rate based upon; 1) How hard is the rate to  
change? 2) How busy is the arrival airport?, 3) How controlling are  
the arrival controllers? and 4) How long do you want to stay at  
altitude?

Now for my curiosity, how easy is the descent rate to change on the  
Chelton. On my 396 I have about 11 keystrokes to get to the VNAV rate.

Lorn

> From: "Jeffrey Liegner, MD" <liegner@embarqmail.com>
> Date: November 14, 2008 7:09:41 PM GMT-05:00
>
> When anticipating a descent into the arrival airport, often ATC and  
> I don't agree on the best solution.  They have their traffic  
> separation issues and sector hand off requirements, so I  
> understand.  But this leads to the question of what is the most  
> common descent angle that pilots are programming into their Cheltons.
> .
> .
> Thanks.
>
> Jeff L