Hello All - First I apologize if I've posted in the wrong forum. I figured I'd post here since I fly the PM737NG 99.9% of the time. My question is in regards to speeds in the approach phase of flight. I understand the flap approach speeds, VREF, etc. Since FS9 can't seperate aircraft properly during the approach, what speed do you continue your approach? (i.e. Under 15,000 ft with no STAR). The reason why I ask is due to FS9 setting you up for the approach 35 miles away from the airport. It seems to take forever at 3,500ft at 175 kts :-). Also, the little sneaky devil aircraft that all of the sudden fly over your head and land before you. I hope this makes sense! Thats why I love VATSIM, just can't fly online all the time :-).Thanks!-RobDeltaVA737-800 Captain

Hello Rob,As far as I understand it, your descend speed is usually somewhere around 300kts, but it might also be the same as the cruise speed (in kts, of course mach changes as you descend).Next thing is, speed restriction. I think this is area dependant, US or Europe. Meaning, altitude above you are allowed to fly faster than 250kts.To answer your question about under 15,000ft with no STAR, if you were in US, I think you have to fly 250kts, because US restrictions are at FL180.For appropriate approach speeds, you should consult some charts. There are many charts available online, and few very good payware libraries.And flying at 175kts while 35miles away is not necessary. If no ATC restriction, you are allowed to fly 250kts. Usually ATC will restrict you...And well, about faster A/C, that's something that's not happening in the real world :). This is just a sim, don't forget that.And approach speeds are calculated by the FMC, that part you got probably.Also other approach speeds are calculated in the FMC, but you can select 250kts until you start intercepting the glideslope. From that point, better start slowing down!Hope this helps :)

My personal preference: stay at 240 below 10 000ft and start slowing down to be at about 180 kts once on the ILS intercept heading. Keep around 160 until G/S capture then dial in whatever your final speed will be for landing...Ditch the FS9 ATC. It does its job OKish, but with the advanced features of aircraft such as this it

Excellent... I figured 250kts for below 18000ft. As far as "final" approach I usually consult the arrival charts for resctrictions. Hopefully FS10 will be more aware of other aircraft and spacing restrictions :-)Thanks for the replies!-Rob

FYI: Landing at KORD I typically here Approach give instructions like:"...maintain 4,000 until established, cleared ILS 27L approach. Maintain 180knts (sometimes 210) to the marker and contact tower at the marker..."

My suggestions:When ATC lines you up 35 miles out, maintain 240 kts until you are about 20 miles out. At that point start slowing down to 170-180. At about 5-7 miles out(about the time you are catching the glidescope) start slowing to your Vref +5.Another way I do it is to gradually slow from 240 to 210 while I am 30-25 miles out so that it easier to slow down to the 175 starting about 10-15 miles out.As many have mentioned, real world practices often have approach speeds of 170-180 for busy airports(for spacing) and up to 210 in areas where traffic isn't as dense. In almost all situations you should start slowing to your vref+5 around 5 miles out.Of course in the sim world, whatever you are comfortable with is best.John

Hi Rob,As you mentioned, the FS9 is quite different, for that reason it would probably be quite impossible to create a simulator to resemble traffic speeds to match reality. Even in real life when you arrive at an airport your speeds assigned by controller will never be the same (pending on wind at altitude, traffic or even controller capability of managing his traffic etc.)Now talking about descend speeds as everybody knows each aircraft will have a different descend speed profile according to aircraft specifications (which by the way controllers are trained and familiar with).The only restriction is 250 below 10,000 ft, or whatever is published on STAR / SID, even outside US 250 Kts IAS is observed in many countries.Descend, what I do on the 744 is try to stay during descend at 310 to 330 Kts IAS, which I will be compatible with the other jets on the arrival path, at 10,000 FMC will slow us down to 240 and maintain that speed up to 6000 Ft which usually is about 20 Mls to the airport where we slow down to 210 Kts. At 10 Mls we slow to 180 Kts to the final and after FAF slow to Vref (between 175 to 150 pending on weights).But again, you never can count on it (usually what we do and described above works about 80% in real life)

I think it's 250 Kts. below 10.000 ft. atleast that's what it says on my charts, plus I believe it's what UK uses also.-Mikkel

I follow the Econ decent on the FMC and typically use 315 knots until approaching 10,000. I start slowing down above 10,000 so that at 10k I am around 250-275 or so. then some spoilers and level flight at 10K bring me quickly down to the 245 I use ( 5 knot safety buffer from 250), and when ATC starts approach I drop to around 180. On the Localizer I go to V ref + 15 slowing to Vref plus 5 on GS. I use TCAS to watch for traffic on the ILS and sometimes speed up or slow down to keep from getting to close to anyone. So far, I have had only one problem doing that.