PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Why heavier aircrafts take longer to slow down in the air?
Old 21st Nov 2012, 23:44
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misd-agin
 
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"2)Why on high profile, it's recommended to increase speed?"



L/D (better gliding performance) is almost always slower than descent speed. Speeding up generates more drag which results in your energy being closer to the profile.

Also increasing speed results in a faster rate of descent getting you closer to your profile.

The reserve applies if you get low on profile. Slow up closer to L/D speed. You should get closer the VNAV descent profile as your gliding performance at L/D is shallower than it is using the VNAV descent speed..

Adding power isn't the most efficient way to correct a small deviation below profile.
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