Level off Rate of Climb/ Descent

[ranklein]

Hi,

Looking for the law (FAA, ICAO) or recommendation reference for reducing the ROD/ ROC to 1500fpm max in the last one thousand feet to assigned altitude.Is this a mandatory or reccomended procedure?

Thanks!!

[captjns]

There are no FARs under Part 91 that limits rates of climb or descent other than what may be imposed as an ATC clearance.

Procedural to avoid TA/RAs do to rapid encroachment into your aircraft’s threat protection zone.

[ranklein]

Yes, understand the meaning behind it.However, it seems it's a recommendation.I don't recall FMC/S computers calculating this (VNAV) for the last 1000 feet, when you use them.It's more when there's not a limitation that you need to reach a certain altitude at a certain point and cannot reduce the rate otherwise you won't make it.

Also looking where it's written.
Thanks.

[Intruder]

Somewhat hard to find in operators' documents, but a search of the FAA site yields:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/enroute/rvsm/documents/chng7mod.doc

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/enroute/rvsm/documents/tcas_6.doc

[Checkboard]

It's written into the Australian AIP, and as such, is a requirement in Australia.

[IRRenewal]

It's generally know as 'airmanship', especially in busy airspace.

[The The]

Hi Checkboard,

Would you have a reference for the Aus AIP? All I can find is if ATC give you "standard rate" then it's 500fpm minimum and at 500fpm for last 1000'.

[Jumbo Driver]

ranklein, I am sure you will find the answer in the appropriate AIP.

This is what the UK AIP says at ENR 1.1.3 GENERAL FLIGHT PROCEDURES (http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/aip/current/enr/EG_ENR_1_1_en.pdf)

2 Climb and Descent

2.2 Maximum Rates of Climb and Descent

2.2.1 In order to ensure the credible interaction of Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems and ground based safety nets, other than aircraft in emergency and certain specific conditions for military aircraft (as detailed in Military AIP and JSP552), all aircraft when Operating under normal circumstances, when inside Controlled Airspace within the London and Scottish FIRs/UIRs should not operate with a climb or descent rate exceeding 8000 ft per minute. Aircraft when first approaching a cleared flight level and/or when changing flight level in Controlled Airspace should ensure that the vertical closure speed is not excessive. It is considered that, with about 1500 ft to go to a cleared level, vertical speed should be reduced to a maximum of 1500 ft per minute and ideally to between 1000 ft per minute and 500 ft per minute. Pilots should ensure that the aeroplane neither undershoots nor overshoots the cleared level by more than 150 ft, manually overriding if necessary.

2.3 Minimum Rates of Climb and Descent

2.3.1 In order to ensure that controllers can accurately predict flight profiles to maintain standard vertical separation between aircraft, pilots of aircraft commencing a climb or descent in accordance with an ATC Clearance should inform the controller if they anticipate that their rate of climb or descent during the level change will be less than 500 ft per minute, or if at any time during such a climb or descent their vertical speed is, in fact, less than 500 ft per minute.

2.3.2 This requirement applies to both the en-route phase of flight and to terminal holding above Transition Altitude.
Note: This is not a prohibition on the use of rates of climb or descent of less than 500 ft per minute where necessary to comply with other operating requirements.
Hope this helps ...

Incidentally, in the above, I would interpret "should" as "strongly recommended" (i.e. good airmanship) rather than mandatory, which would be written as "must".

JD
:)

[Zeffy]

FAA AIM 4-4-10 (http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/Chap4/aim0404.html):

d. When ATC has not used the term "AT PILOT'S DISCRETION" nor imposed any climb or descent restrictions, pilots should initiate climb or descent promptly on acknowledgement of the clearance. Descend or climb at an optimum rate consistent with the operating characteristics of the aircraft to 1,000 feet above or below the assigned altitude, and then attempt to descend or climb at a rate of between 500 and 1,500 fpm until the assigned altitude is reached. If at anytime the pilot is unable to climb or descend at a rate of at least 500 feet a minute, advise ATC. If it is necessary to level off at an intermediate altitude during climb or descent, advise ATC, except when leveling off at 10,000 feet MSL on descent, or 2,500 feet above airport elevation (prior to entering a Class C or Class D surface area), when required for speed reduction.

[Intruder]

FWIW, the AIM is not regulatory, though it is often treated as such...