B717:
Usual cruise speed M0.78, descend at that speed into 320ish KIAS, almost at flight idle power.
Usually slow to 250KIAS by 10,000' and hold this speed in the clean configuration till 3500' AAL. At 3500'AAL slow to 210KIAS, still clean, and take Slats approaching 210KIAS, slowing further to take Flap 18 approaching 190KIAS.
Approaching 170KIAS, gear down followed by Flap 40 and speed reducing to V-APP (V Approach) which is usually V-REF + 5KIAS.
If it's been well planned & flown, the thrust will be nominally at flight idle from TOPD (TOP of Descent) until V-Approach is achieved.
On the flap setting side of things, the 717 has
- Flap 0, Slats retracted
- Flap 0, Slats extended
- Flap 13 (degrees)
- Flap 18 (degrees)
- Flap 25 (degrees)
- Flap 40 (degrees)
Additionally there is a variable flap setting mechanism which allows any angle of flap from 0 to 20 to be set for take-off. Having said this, the Flight Manual mandates a minumum flap setting for take-off of 5 degrees. In the list above, all flap settings greater than 0, require the slats to be extended, and as the one lever controls both slats and flaps, it is impossible to have flap extended without the slats being extended, unless the slats have failed in the retracted position. Flap 25 & 40 are the normal landing flap settings, and in our operation it is normal to land with flap 40 unless OEI (
One
Engine
Inoperative), in which case flap 25 would be the norm.