Originally Posted by
grrowler
There is no problem with maintaining a continual descent to 2500 if I choose, but my question is whether I must.
I think you should.
"Must" sounds like a lawyer's term and perhaps such exact rule, spelt out clear, will be impossible to find. An instruction to descend is exactly that and level flight does not fit that description.
An argument about a need to slow down for configuration change in level flight
- is a strawman since it can be done differently
- if it is short and temporary would not be a problem anyway.
Your example, in the opening post is benign. Let's blow it up while keeping it real:
- by ARINC definition the final app angle must extend in front of the FAF/FAP to enable capture from below, once established on the final track
- on many installations, this will create a pseudo G/S intercept quite far out, maybe from 5.5, 7000 feet (platform ALT 3000 let's say)
Once after the final vector, with clearance to descend 3000 and for the approach, one may wonder if maintaining the 6000 until the 3° is all right with everyone.
I think it is not, unless coordinated.