EGLL Director Answer...
I was Capt. on a 777-300ER today. LAM 3 Arr, 09L. Heading 265 after LAM, cleared down to 90. Then 80, with 27 track miles to run. Then, a couple of nice left vectors for a final intercept.
I was all set up for a nice CDA to final, 09L.
Now, if I remember the terminology correctly, we were 'Cleared to 3000 ft, intercept the glide slope, cleared the ILS approach, 09L.
Shortly thereafter, I was given clearance to descend to 2500 ft, intercept the glide slope, cleared the ILS approach, 09L.
I rolled final and intercepted, both localizer and G/S simultaneously, however; that was at about 3500 feet.
My question is this...Do you want me down at 3000 feet, then intercept the glidepath or is the CDA all the way through, the proper procedure. When done correctly, a CDA with both captures are really nice. It works slick, but to have descended down to the cleared altitude would have necessitated using either more flap or extending spoilers.
Whats your take on this, guys and gals from the Director chair?
Thanks!