descent planning in 737-300
I have the 737-300 operation manual, volume 3 - flight planning, descent
I have two tables, one for a mach.74/250kts descent and one for a M.70/280/250kts descent, both based on flight idle thrust with allowances for a straight-in approach included.
M74/250kts (LDGweight=55000KG):
press alt time(min) fuel distance (NM)
37000 23 300 111
35000 23 295 106
33000 22 290 100
31000 21 285 94
The tables don't show any time change with the variation of weight. I'm sure there is, but the manual focuses more on the distance and fuel.
as we change the weight, the distance for descent increases.
ex: 37000ft, 23 min, with 35000kg, dist = 100nm
the same with 45000kg, dist = 111nm
the same with 55000kg, dist = 116nm
I don't understand why the descent distance is greater with larger weights. It should be the same, I thought.