Vertical speed

[JMNC 0]

Is a 5100 descent vertical speed normal???

[Superpilotv2 2]

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

[ccarter06 3]

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.

[badderjet 181]

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

[fsgeek 0]

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, 2012 by fsgeek

[scandinavian13 5,192]

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.

[JMNC 0]

Thanks for the posts you solved my doubt

[Paul Deemer 13]

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, 2012 by UAL115

[nikita 241]

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

:(