Is a 5100 descent vertical speed normal???

Sounds a bit too high for me. 3000 are normal.

What's your ground speed? Were you given a late descent clearance to meet a crossing restriction? Is your plane on fire? Is it the last leg before your vacation? It all depends on the situation.

Doesn't exactly sound like too much at all, but certainly around the higher edge for normal operations.

As Ryan explained in a previous post, there's really no "normal" vertical speed. LVL CHG and V NAV are both pitch-for-speed modes and will select whatever V/S is appropriate to maintain the commanded speed. If you're flying light and you command a climb at a speed lower than your current speed, you can observe a V/S in excess of 6,000 ft/min- this is not unrealistic (despite what third parties may claim). The body only feels acceleration; a V/S of 7,000 ft/min feels exactly the same as a V/S of 500 ft/min to the passengers and crew.If you're using LVL CHG or V NAV, don't be surprised if you encounter large vertical speeds from time to time. If you're trying to fly within restrictions, you can always switch to V/S mode and dial in your own vertical speed.Regards,

Edited January 14, 201214 yr by fsgeek

What's your ground speed? Were you given a late descent clearance to meet a crossing restriction? Is your plane on fire? Is it the last leg before your vacation? It all depends on the situation.

Agreed.To the OP: Check your CI. Chances are it's a little too high.

The body only feels acceleration; a V/S of 7,000 ft/min feels exactly the same as a V/S of 500 ft/min to the passengers and crew.

Exactly. I took a friend flying the day after Christmas and on the trip back to JYO, she pointed to the VSI gauge and asked "how many g's would that be?" so I pitched up slowly to where she pointed, and asked her how she felt. She said she didn't really feel anything, so I explained where the feeling comes from, and why VSI would go unnoticed in the end.

Thanks for the posts you solved my doubt

Most airlines use a cost index of 40 or less in the 737.Cost index of 36 = 280 knot vnav descentCost index of 100 = 330 knot vnav descent

Edited January 14, 201214 yr by UAL115

Is your plane on fire? Is it the last leg before your vacation?

:(