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Old 11th May 2004, 13:15
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Scallywag
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: England
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Everyone is getting too deep here. let's RTFQ and give a simple answer.... IT'S THE LIGHTER ONE.

"two jet a/c's of the same type, descending at the same speed, throttles are at idle, one significantly lighter than the other, which will have a higher rate of descent?"
In order to maintain the same speed with idle thrust the lighter aircraft will have to increase pitch down resulting in a higher rate of descent. Those of you who have operated empty sectors in jets compared to a full load will have already experienced this many times, and some very high descent rates can be achieved in a light jet aircraft of same type at same speed as a heavy one provided thrust remains at idle.

KISS
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