Min R/d

[gaga1976]

What's minimum Rate of Descent ATC expects?
I was thaught 1000 ft/min (long time ago). I've read somewhere that min in London Terminal is 500 ft/min. I've also read 500 for Swiss FIR/UIR.
Also talked to a guy who says there is min gradient. He doesn't remember how much but it coresponds to 1000 ft/min when aircraft speed is 7Nm/min (I figured it's 150 ft/Nm than which gives 600 ft/min (or 500) in terminals with speed of 250kts or bellow)

gaga 1976

[HugMonster]

All that sounds very complicated....

I always understood that it was 500 fpm regardless...

In an unpressurised aircraft, descent rates much in excess of 500 fpm will be very uncomfortable for the passengers. Therefore you can not expect more.

[The Bishop]

At about 40 miles to run a jet aircraft is about 9 - 10 mins out and about F120 - F130 (Australian examples) so just over 1000ft/min looks right.

[Portly]

Under IFR you must maintain 500fpm. If you can't do this, tell the controller. This is why, incidentally, the B737 autopilot would fail an instrument rating test!