I would like to revisit this thread. The other day inbound to EGNM from LIFFY I was given descent almost 120 miles before the 'economic' point, and then further step-downs (again not geographically specified until almost - and in one case - too late
). This resulted in my burning about 400kg of my 380kg 'contingency fuel', so it is a
serious issue in terms of fuel planning for pilots and airlines.
I have received two very helpful replies to this issue from PPRuning ATC'ers (blushes spared
) and it appears that the info is buried in AIRACs. I have had a sneak look at one and it does indeed have some of these 'hidden' descent gates aka 'Standing Agreements'.
I asked our company to move top of descent back to before LIFFY as a 'ballpark' attempt to get closer to the fuel needed to make these 'gates'. I am seeking ideas for a way to get this info into the airlines flight planning systems. All inputs gratefully received. Is there a matrix somewhere that we can access?
Leaving aside this major safety issue, once again - as we have requested here - can ATC PLEASE give us the requirements in the clearance, just as 'YFA' says? Maastricht manage it regularly - "be level 40 before xxx" or "1500 or more" not "increase your rate - you now need to lose xxxx feet in 4 miles" (I just didn't tell you). You know the 'gates' - we don't - it is that simple. Unless we can get them onto the PLOG, we never will - unless of course we fly the same route day in day out. It really does not increase the overall R/T loading. If you prefer we can ask for clarification with each level change?