Basic Flying Tips
maxy101,
Don't know is this is covered in FIS's list of tips, but an easy ground speed to rate of descent for 3 degree G/S ( if you're lucky enough to have such a readout ) : half the ground speed X 10 gives a quite accurate descent rate for 3 degrees...+/- 50 fpm or so. Useful for non-precision approaches if not doing the "dive and drive" to MDA but using CANPA. For example: GS 140 kts needs 700 fpm...140/2=70 X 10=700fpm. The Gradient to Rate table from my Jeps says 740 fpm @ 140 kts for 3 Degree angle. Hope this is of use to you.
maxy101,
Forgot you'd also asked about ground speed from DME miles flown. I THINK I'm remembering this correctly...too many years of EFIS and a bit of retirement may have allowed a few critical brain cells to whither. Miles flown in 1 min. X 60, or in 2 mins. X 30, or in 3 mins. X 20 will give you ground speed. The longer time gives the more accurate speed and you need to be flying pretty much directly toward or away from the station and not too close to it for the best accuracy. If I've not remembered this right...fear not !! Someone will set us both right.