Originally Posted by
BwatchGRUNT
2. issuing a descend NOW instruction, having it read back and then choosing to descend when you feel like it. The word 'NOW' is none standard RT but has become common practice as otherwise a descent instruction is replied with 'when ready'. I would have said WR if it was appropriate.
Can I just clarify regarding descent clearances? Often we are given a descent clearance "descend FLxxx" and it's way before our optimum descent point for a CDA. We'll often read back and add on "is that when ready?" 8 out of 10 times, the answer is yes. So, it would be useful if the "Now" or "When ready" could be appended to a clearance to avoid ambiguity and then cuts down on an additional RT response to our question.