HF:
I just want to emphasise that the problem is not that 160 to 4 is too fast. I guarantee I can achieve a stable approach every time
In your classic, that is the case. In a modern aircraft, flying for a company that requires stabilised at 1000', then 160 to 4
is too fast. Simple as.
Our SOPs (easy) clearly state that if you are instructed to do 160 to 4, then you should reduce speed at 5mn
latest. In most cases you need to be reducing at about 5.5 to comply with our SOPs.
Maybe our SOPs ought to include a comment in that section that makes it mandatory to reply "unable, it will be 160 to x". I know it should be mandatory anyway, but nobody does it, on the understanding that we can't quite do it anyway, ATC should know, it makes very little difference, we're not going to be seen as wimps, or I'm not going to impose pressures or conditions on the PF (delete as applicable).