Isnt a CDA mainly for noise abatement purporse?
Leveling off will increase the noise and fuel consumption especially with flaps extended.
Therefore your "CADET" is in the good direction.
Using idle thrust(ie lvl chg) when given in this post a 4000 ft descent, is a poor technique,it will increase your fuel flow as you will level off too early and the noise will increase,potentially ending in a fine for noise infringement.
Id rather fly with him in england(cda is monitered) than with someone who has no idea of this basic concept.
Just got the definition of a CDA by Euro Control:
“Continuous Descent Approach is an aircraft operating technique in which an
arriving aircraft descends from an optimal position with minimum thrust and avoids
level flight to the extent permitted by the safe operation of the aircraft and
compliance with published procedures and ATC instructions.”
The operational aim :
The overall operational aim for a CDA is to assist pilots to optimise aircraft approach
profiles in order to reduce noise impact on the ground and, where possible, reduce
fuel-use and atmospheric emissions. Because noise reduces exponentially with distance
between source and receptor, the main aim of CDA is to keep aircraft as high as
possible for as long as possible without adversely affecting the application of a safe
descent profile. Additional noise reduction may be achieved by incorporating, to the
extent possible, LP/LD techniques such as later deployment of flaps and undercarriage.
Safe and efficient flights to all of you
