D. P Davies pointed out that there are at least two ways of getting down fast.
The Mmo/Vmo route, anticipating the switch altitude to pickup Vmo.
Then it was possible to decelerate at constant altitude, hang out a few drag producing devices (e.g. u/c and/or spoilers ) and then come down slower & steeper.
For a veriety of reasons, the former is usually the best method, especially as it starts to get the cabin altitude down immediately....
Both methods (he suggested) required a sensible margin above level-off height (e.g. 10,000 ft) to initiate the levelling off in good time.
*The ear also doesn't like (can't handle) rapidly increasing pressure as much as reducing pressure. I believe I was once told that comfortable rapid descents should be limited to about 8000 ft/min... for that reason, though of course oxygen content of the cabin air would rate higher on the wish list, than some discomfort.
* Am quite prepared to be corrected on the above anecdote
Last edited by HarryMann; 16th Sep 2011 at 00:50.