ATC will not issue a descent instruction at or near the TOD point. If I don't request an altitude change, I will eventually get one, but way too late and I will arrive 15 - 20 thousand feet too high for the approach.

If I request a significant altitude change at TOD, the problem is somewhat minimized but I still end-up too high for the approach.

My P2ATC descent rate is 2 000 FPM. I would probably need 15 000 FPM to make the transition at proper altitude.

If I ignore ATC and descend anyway, I will fly a nice approach but I get verbal abuse from ATC and my license gets pulled. 😁

 

Make sure you are on the latest release of P2A.  There have been some TOD issues in the past.

Also, I would reduce the planned descent rate to 1500 FPM to move the TOD out further.  

The TOD takes STAR and Approach restrictions into account.  There will be some steep arrivals and approaches in mountainous areas, but in most cases, the calculated TOD should work if you:

• Descend at the planned rate or higher
• Keep your speed at or below the planned or restricted speeds.  TOD calculations assume you are at or below the 250 knot limit below 10000 ft MSL and any further restrictions there might be in the procedures.

Dave

You should be requesting decent, ATC (at least in the real world) doesn't know where your tod is.

Edited June 25, 20214 yr by Dave_YVR

I assume that when ATC asks you to descend via a transition for your airport then that is when you should descend. In MSFS 2020 I have a route from EGNX to EGNT and the minimum altitude is FL160. ATC ask me to descend to 2200 feet at POLIN which is far too early especially crossing hills and I would estimate it to be 60 miles from airport. Whilst TOD is indicated I understand ATC do not use that information but it was a lot more realistic point for descent.

When ATC clears you to descend via a transition or via a STAR, you have permission to descend according to the restrictions in the procedure.  However, it is totally up to the pilot as to when to actually start going down in order to comply with the restrictions and avoid any terrain.  If you follow the restrictions, you should avoid the terrain.  

In the case of the POL1N arrival, which I assume you were flying, there is a restriction at IRKOR of 16000 ft, so you can only descend to 16000 ft until after you pass that waypoint.

If you were flying at 450 Kts GS at FL210 with a descent rate of 1800 FPM, your TOD is after POL.  You would get clearance for the descent at POL, but you could wait until the TOD point to start down, crossing IRKOR at 16000ft.  Then descend to cross XODRU at 12000 ft, etc.

Dave