The reason I ask is I did a flight from KSEA to KPDX and I was asked to descend from FL120 to 4000. I descended at 1200fpm. What happend was, ATC then had me drop to 2000 which would have buried me in the hills. Could the problem have been that since my descent rate was higher than normal and farther out from the airport? RegardsBobG

Hi Bob,It has nothing to do with your descent rate. The problem is that it is difficult, if not impossible, for programs like RC to "read" elevation data from FS2002. In other words, the RC controllers have no idea what the terrain surrounding an airport is like. The descent clearances you get are based on the elevation of the airport itself and not what may be around it. RC gives you a couple of ways to work around the problem:1. Terrain Notams. When terrain notams are activated on the controller screen, you will be allowed to deviate from the heading and altitude instructions you get from approach. Instead of saying "Fly heading 175 and descend and maintain 4000," you will here the same instructions preceded by "When able,". This allows you to avoid terrain without being chewed out.2. Sometimes you can't even see the terrain, so it's kind of difficult to avoid it. If this is the case, you can request and fly an IAP. Of course you have to have the charts in order to do this. If you're flying in the US these are free and easy to find on the web. You can also fly an IAP whenever you want, even if terrain and visibility are good.I frequently fly in and out of KPDX and KSEA myself. Approaching KPDX from the north you should maintain at least 6000 until you're turned off downwind onto base. Once you're turned to intercept final for either you should be well clear of the hills and can descend to whatever altitude you're given by approach. Of course if you try this and crash it's not my fault. :)Sidney Schwartz [KPDX]Horizon Pilot--flight plans and scenery for FS2002http://sidneyschwartz.homestead.com/index.htmlhttp://jdtllc.com/images/RCbeta.jpg

Thank you Sidney and if I crash it's my fault. :-)RegardsBobG