This is an extract from NATS....
Quote:
Modelling and simulations have indicated that approximately 1 minute of airborne holding can be avoided with an earlier and consistent application of econ descent speeds. By reducing the speed earlier, this procedure simply transfers part of the anticipated stack holding delay to the descent phase, thus reducing fuel burn and aviation related emissions. Total potential savings for LTMA arrivals are expected to exceed 12,000 tonnes of fuel per annum.
What no one seems to have pointed out to the office jockey that thought this up is that if everyone arrives at the holding stack doing 270 kts and one minute later, then the problem still isn't going to go away.
Personally, I've not used it and won't unless I'm forced to. More often than not, traffic patterns won't allow me to do this - if the front aircraft I'm streaming is doing 270kts, then the back one will have to be doing 220 which isn't going to work. If there's no need for speed control, then I'll let the plane fly its own speed