I've always used 500 fpm as the minimum rate of descent.
Also, if controllers want me to start down at a silly range - outside the 3 or 4 times height distance, that is all you will get until you complain.
We are on fuel plans which calculate an optimum descent point but also include block standing agreements.
That said, I never go thin on fuel unless payload issues dictate, I am merely trying to conserve some of our $700 a tonne fuel !
The Americans are the worst......................... and yes they usually bleat after 3 or 4 minutes at 500 fpm
