How do you know when to start descending?

A good rule of thumb is to allow yourself two minutes for each 1,000 feet of altitude you need to lose. So, if you’re cruising at 10,000 feet above field elevation, start descending 20 minutes before your planned arrival.

Does ATC tell you when to descend?

According to the FAA, when ATC issues a clearance to descend at pilot’s discretion (PD), pilots may begin the descent whenever they choose, and at any rate of their choosing. Pilots are also authorized to level off, temporarily, at any intermediate altitude during the descent.

How do pilots know when to land?

When clouds surround an airport, pilots have been able to find the path to the runway for decades by using an Instrument Landing System, or ILS. Ground-based transmitters project one radio beam straight down the middle of the runway, and another angled up from the runway threshold at a gentle three degrees.

What is the 3 6 rule?

For larger aircraft, typically people use some form of the 3/6 Rule: 3 times the altitude (in thousands of feet) you have to lose is the distance back to start the descent; 6 times your groundspeed is your descent rate.

How do pilots know where they’re going?

Air traffic controllers guide pilots to the outer marker, or the beginning of the final approach, generally seven to eight miles from the runway. Then the plane passes over a middle marker and an inner marker, radio reference points that tell the pilots exactly where they are along the approach path.

When may a pilot deviate from an ATC clearance?

§ 91.123 Compliance with ATC clearances and instructions. (a) When an ATC clearance has been obtained, no pilot in command may deviate from that clearance unless an amended clearance is obtained, an emergency exists, or the deviation is in response to a traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution advisory.

Can you refuse an IFR clearance?

It is up to the pilot to refuse the clearance if, in the pilot’s opinion, compliance would adversely affect the operation. Visual separation is a means employed by ATC to separate aircraft in terminal areas and en route airspace in the NAS.

How do pilots know route?

Pilots rely heavily on computerised controls and with the assistance of the autopilot and the flight management computer, steer the plane along their planned route. They are monitored by air traffic control stations they pass along the way.

When can a pilot descend at pilot’s discretion?

According to the FAA, when ATC issues a clearance to descend at pilot’s discretion (PD), pilots may begin the descent whenever they choose, and at any rate of their choosing. Pilots are also authorized to level off, temporarily, at any intermediate altitude during the descent.

How to calculate descent time from airport to airport?

1 Step 1: First, we need to figure out how many minutes it’s going to take us to descend, and that’s pretty straight… 2 Step 2: Next, we need to figure out how many miles away from the airport we need to start that descent. More

How much descent time is required to reach pattern altitude?

In the first question, we had to descend from 5,000′ to pattern altitude at 2,000′, for a total of 3,000′ of descent. We planned to descend at 500 FPM.

How far out should I start my descent?

You plan to descend at 500 feet per minute. How far out should you start your descent? Or how about this: you’re cruising IFR at 10,000′ MSL, and ATC gives you a crossing restriction of 5,000′ for a fix that’s 10 miles ahead.