"Arrive Arbey time....."

[Chapi]

I do not think that there is any specific AIP reference that defines the accuracy to which pilots must meet fix times used for sequencing.

When ATC issue fix times, it is with the intent of achieving an arrival sequence by allowing pilots to adjust their speed and descent profile with minimal ATC intervention (ie minimise vectoring/holding).

If the first aircraft of an in-trail sequence arrives ARBEY 30 secs late, and the second aircraft arrives 60secs early, the 2-min sequence is reduced to 30-secs! Not good.

So ....

- try and meet the times as accurately as possible;
- it can be helpful to let ATC know how you will achieve the time (ie what speed you will be on descent)
- if you can't meet a time, let ATC know in a timely fashion;
- ATC will adjust/fine -tune with speed control and/or radar vectors to assure separation and maintain the sequence (if necessary - sometimes its critical ... sometimes less critical)