Is there a way to be less than 11000 or 12000 ft, 40nm from the airport. I seem to be cleared to this alitude and then handed to approach. This usually works fine, however sometimes if im coming in and approaching the same heading as the active runway, i have real trouble getting to the lower altitude in time to land. An example is YBBN to YSSY almost takes you directly onto finals with 16R at Sydney. But i wasnt cleared to a lower altitude in time.. then all of a sudden from 12000 i was cleared to 3000 with such little time.Thanks, Mike.

Hi Mike,The simple answer is no. These are the standard altitudes RC issues for near and far side crossing restrictions. Usually for a straight in approach you would have been brought down to 11000 feet.However, from a rough calculation at 250 knots with a vertical speed of 2000 feet per minute you should be able to lose 9000 feet in about 20 miles. At 3000 feet you intercept the GS about 10 miles from the runway so even at 250 knots there should be ample time to make the descent if it's initiated about 35 miles from the airport.20 miles to get down to 3000 feet still leaves you 15 miles from the airport giving you at least 5 miles level on the localiser before capturing the GS. If you slow to less than 250 knots you'll have even more time available. I'm guessing you need to increase your rate of descent in these circumstances.All the best,John

Haha yeh, i did make it, it was just very forced. I think on this occaision i was using the PMDG 747 and was able to shed speed quickly and decend fast enough with speedbrakes.Thanks for answering, i was just curious if it was able to be avoided. I had read most of the PDF file, but couldnt find a proper answer.Regards, Mike.

Hi Mike,These controllers are an unsympathetic bunch :-lolAll the best,John

Pass the pretzels ;)

>Is there a way to be less than 11000 or 12000 ft, 40nm from>the airport. I seem to be cleared to this alitude and then>handed to approach. This usually works fine, however sometimes>if im coming in and approaching the same heading as the active>runway, i have real trouble getting to the lower altitude in>time to land. An example is YBBN to YSSY almost takes you>directly onto finals with 16R at Sydney. But i wasnt cleared>to a lower altitude in time.. then all of a sudden from 12000>i was cleared to 3000 with such little time.I highly recommend that in such situations you do not maintain 250 KIAS, slow down to 230 KIAS and getting it down is a whole lot easier.-michael