PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Maximum angle of descent
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Old 21st Nov 2007, 17:47
  #17 (permalink)  
nugpot
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: South Africa
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Everything depends on your situation and aircraft type.

Is there any rough formula I can use to determine speed for max angle?
As a rough rule of thumb:
300kts = 30 000'/min (over the ground obviously)
250kts = 25 000'/min
etc.

What is your aircraft's ROD's for these speeds with spoiler and/or gear/flap?

Disregarding the level bit at the bottom where you have to slow down from the high speed descent, then 3000'/min @ 300 kts will give you a 1/10 descent, where you only need 2500'/min @250 to get the same angle profile (or 2000'/min @ 200). Anything above these values for the speeds given will give you a better angle.

I have found to my disgust that slow and dirty beats fast and steep almost every time.
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