Tic
Also can someone give a definition of "high speed",
The Area controller (in AUH) is the guy giving this instruction, as he is deciding the 'gate sequence'. He is fully aware (usually) that you are on a Mach no., but wants you to transition into a high IAS. That will vary, of course, between type, operator etc. What he is really saying is he doesn't want you to waft on down doing 270kts or so. So 310kts IAS or higher would be considered 'high speed'. If you can't give higher speed (due turb or whatever), then just let him know. This guy may also ask for slow types to give 'high speed' , but he knows that high speed might be 240kts instead of 220kts. That may be enough in a given situation to make something work. The geometry of say, the DESDI gate sequence, means that a combination of speed, vectoring and direct tracking are used to obtain spacing. So having some idea of what speed you will be doing is extremely useful (and with the limited space available there- essential). This guy owns down to 10,000', then DXB App takes you and may change the speed to fit you into the 'runway sequence' with traffic from other gates. By the time App gets you, you will be sequenced with same gate traffic, and speed is nowhere near as important closer in as a different technique to sequence will then be used. App is fully aware of the speed capabilities and limtations, but it never hurts to keep ATC informed.