Question: when the man on the radio says 180 kts to ten, 160 to 5, what do they really mean? What are they expecting? Is it the same as at LHR where they expect 180 reducing slowly to be 160 at 4?
Exactly that. 180kts to 10 miles. No more, no less. Then back to 160 kts ASAP. And hold that to 4 miles. Not 5 or 6 miles, unless instructed.
If you need 165 kts or can only give 160kts to 5 miles, speak up. We'll adjust the spacing behind you.
Being within 5-10 kts of assigned speed on arrival or downwind is acceptable. Not on final where we get put over the GCAA's knee and spanked when wake is infringed because someone doesn't do their assigned speeds. Couple too many of those and we might have to start the job application process somewhere else in the world.
Crux of the matter is - Speak up if you can't comply with speeds, or ask if you can fly a certain preferred speed. Throw us a bone!!