Mach-nr or IAS?
Hi folks,
Recently i was cleared to descend from FL340 down to FL240, with a restriction of flying 260 kts. I asked if the 260 kts restriction was on conversion, but no, he wanted it right now! (from leaving FL340) I was educated to fly Mach number on conversion in the climb. I had numerous clearances to fly 260 IAS (or so) on conversion, but never to fly IAS above FL290, in my case descending from FL340. Is this correct or just another german atc typical way of doing it their way......? Thanks! |
Lack of understanding...
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You'll get in the UK too. It's not a lack of understanding at all.
For example, I can see traffic off the ocean inbound to London that is currently doing 250kts at FL350. I know it's flying on a Mach number at the moment, but the Mode S is showing 250 knots so it's not hard for the pilots to keep it at that. If the traffic situation warrants it, and inbound to Heathrow it usually does, then I'll tell the pilot to keep the speed at 250kts from now. It's up to them to manage that through a combination of Mach number and deciding when to convert to IAS In the case above, if you can't come back to that speed at that level then say something - we've always got a Plan B up our sleeve |
I'd stick with Mach number at or above FL280 and IAS below that. It's easier for everyone as ATCOs know the Mach number range for most jets above that level but we certainly couldn't tell you what a good, assured IAS would be above that without a few questions first as to whether you can make the speed or not. I haven't heard IAS used at all above FL280 ; that's after 38 years of controlling, mostly in upper airspace.
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Originally Posted by ATCO1962
(Post 10357771)
I'd stick with Mach number at or above FL280 and IAS below that. It's easier for everyone as ATCOs know the Mach number range for most jets above that level but we certainly couldn't tell you what a good, assured IAS would be above that without a few questions first as to whether you can make the speed or not. I haven't heard IAS used at all above FL280 ; that's after 38 years of controlling, mostly in upper airspace.
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Originally Posted by testpanel
(Post 10357342)
Hi folks,
Recently i was cleared to descend from FL340 down to FL240, with a restriction of flying 260 kts. I asked if the 260 kts restriction was on conversion, but no, he wanted it right now! (from leaving FL340) I was educated to fly Mach number on conversion in the climb. I had numerous clearances to fly 260 IAS (or so) on conversion, but never to fly IAS above FL290, in my case descending from FL340. Is this correct or just another german atc typical way of doing it their way......? Thanks! For instance, if you fly 270IAS you keep flying IAS until FL340. Only after reaching approx. FL340 you catch up with .78 or so. |
ICAO says FL260 is the cut over. Mach until then. Over.
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I was educated to fly Mach number on conversion in the climb. |
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