Managed Descent Speed

[fablarto 0]

I've noticed that the default descent speed seems to be quite low. For example, flying the A340-200 last night (CI=80), the descent speed was calculated to be around 250/.75. That seems to be quite slow when cruising at FL360 m.82. Is that realistic? The LDS 767 descent is usually around 300/.80.I use Radar Contatct and ATC always commands a descent before the MCDU T/D. Because of this and the descent speed above, I usually descend by manually setting the V/S.What is the best way to descend an Airbus when one is instructed to descend before the T/D?Thanks,Alden

[Guest vrandar]

Like you I have often found it a bit on the slow side in the descent but don't forget this is because the computers are working in ECON mode so trying to reduce fuel consumption. But you can scroll through the PERF pages showng the different phases of flight and go to the DES descent page. There you can change the descent speed: enter the speed into the scratchpad and press line select key 4 left.Rob Elliott, EGPE InvernessPSS Airbus Support andAirbus Fleet Training Captain, British Airways Virtual airbus@speedbirdonline.co.ukhttp://www.speedbirdonline.co.uk/airbus.htmlhttp://www.bavirtual.co.uk

[Guest lvp0412]

If you're flying along at FL350 and ATC gives you a decent before the T/D, try starting the decent at 300fpm until the T/D comes along. This keeps ATC happy and the rate of decent catches up after a few minutes when the T/D is crossed. I've used it many times.Larry (KCVG)

[Guest vrandar]

If ATC instructs you to descend to a particular flight level they will expect you to comply and to descend at a rate they would normally expect for your type of airplane. It doesn't matter where the TOD is in the flightplan, you just enter your new flight level into the FCU, or enter it as an alt constraint in the MCDU if that was the ATC instruction ("FLxxx by....). The TOD will be cancelled.Mind you that is for online flying. I have never used the ATC within the sim so don't know what it might be expecting. If it was the FS9 ATC you were referring to Alden then Larry's advice sounds right.Rob Elliott, EGPE InvernessPSS Airbus Support andAirbus Fleet Training Captain, British Airways Virtual airbus@speedbirdonline.co.ukhttp://www.speedbirdonline.co.uk/airbus.htmlhttp://www.bavirtual.co.uk

[fablarto 0]

I'm using RCv4. I usually start my descent similar to how Larry suggests, but I use a VS around 1000. RC seems happy with that. The LDS 767 does something similar in that if you start a VNAV descent before the TOD it sets the VS to 1200 and then automatically intercepts the descent path.Alden