Dear jugler,
I was never arguing why at 6/5 miles I was still on app. frequency, I was merely making an inquiry to make certain he hadn't forgotten to switch us over, and please note that director frequency was not being used at the time. I wholeheartedly understand that there could be a number of reasons why I was left on app. freq. with 6/5 miles to touchdown, but it is not the norm. I would rather make an inquiry at 6/5 miles rather than 4/3 miles. My whole point was that his reply was out of line and unwarranted, nothing more nothing less, a more diplomatic reply would have gotten the message across. I do not pretend to be one of the Wright brothers, nor do I believe that I am the only traffic in HKG airspace, but I also shouldn't feel that I need to submit my inquiries to a review board before transmitting. I think the majority of us are experienced enough to differentiate between necessary and unnecessary queries, especially during peak periods.
Since you brought up the 150 kts + at 5 miles ie. 1500', and please understand that I am bringing this point as a discussion only. I think it is fair to say that the majority do not adhere to that. Operationally, we have to be at approach speed with thrust above idle by 1000', or the approach is deemed to be unstable. A light airbus will have an approach speed of around 135kts. Factor in a light tailwind, such has been the case on numerous occasions recently, and unless you start slowing the airplane from 180 kts at 8 miles, there will be a good chance that you will not achieve the required stable approach criteria. My whole point here is that from our perspective, at 5 miles, despite any speed control, most of us are already closer to approach speed. This is open for discussion and I would like to hear from others regarding the speed control at 5 miles on 25 and 07. Also, in our JEP page 10-4, it states " The published speed restrictions for the final approach segment are applicable for the Continuous Descent Approach procedure" Hence, if you are not on a CDA procedure, and have been cleared the procedural ILS, according to Mr. Jep you are not required to adhere to the published speed restrictions on final. Any thoughts from aircrew and controllers?