Climb or Descent at standard rate

[Tempo]

Hi,

I cannot locate the reference in the AIP regarding a 'standard rate of climb/descent' (something like not less than 500fpm except the last 1000ft at 500fpm).

Is it still in there and if so....where???

Cheers

[PlankBlender]

AIP ENR 1.7 4.1.9: Rate not less than 500FPM, last 1000FT at 500FPM.

[Unhinged]

AIP ENR p1.7-8, section 4.1.9 a.

"The phrase 'STANDARD RATE', when included in a clearance, specifies a rate of climb or descent of not less than 500FT per minute, except that the last 1,000FT to an assigned level must be made at 500FT per minute"

[Desert Duck]

Jepps ATC AU806 - 3.5.1.9

The phrase 'standard rate' specifies a rate not less than 500 ft/min except that the last 1000ft is at 500 ft/min

[Blockla]

And when is it used?

[turbantime]

And when is it used?

During a Virgin Blue interview!

[Tempo]

Thanks for the reference.

[Jungmeister]

Standard Rate was used in procedural separation (IE no Radar) during step climb and descents. Normally the controller would assign a level vertically separated from the last level reported as “left”
Example : Step climb with ABC above DEF. No rate of climb specified.
“ABC left 6000”
“DEF climb to 5000”
However if the ATC specified “Standard Rate” to BOTH aircraft he could assign DEF 6000 (IE the level just reported as “Left” by ABC. The theory is that as the aircraft started off correctly vertically separated, they would continue to be separated if they both changed levels at the same rate for the last 1000 feet (or 2000 feet above F290)
Step climbs and descents used to be common many years ago. Both pilots and ATC got to be pretty good at it especially if the correct phrases were used. The pilots responded to each other’s reports and the ATC just gave the change of level instruction. Sometimes three or more aircraft were involved in busy procedural environments like Alice Springs.

[Capt Fathom]

Standard Rate ... When is it used?

Never in my 30 years of flying!

[18-Wheeler]

I've had it thrust upon me a couple of times.
Once in a light twin by myself so I knew what to do, and more recently in Europe .... and got a blank look from the FO, as they'd never heard the phrase before.

[Jungmeister]

I just re-read my post above and recalled the main reason for Standard Rate. It was to avoid having the lower aircraft level off and maintain a level, with a consequent increase in speed. This happened typically at YPAD when there were limits in RADAR coverage to the east. The step climb could go on for a long time and result in the aircraft arriving at the other end with the higher aircraft stuck up on top of the lower one who was not ready for descent at the destination. Fortunately RADAR fixes all!
J