What is 500 feet per minute descent?
What is 500 feet per minute descent? For a light VFR aircraft, the usual descent rate can be taken as -500ft/min. That means you will lose 500ft in 1 minute.
What is the 3 to 1 rule for descent planning?
A general rule of thumb for initial IFR descent planning in jets is the 3 to 1 formula. This means that it takes 3 NM to descend 1,000 feet. If an airplane is at FL 310 and the approach gate or initial approach fix is at 6,000 feet, the initial descent requirement equals 25,000 feet (31,000–6,000).
How do pilots know when to start descending?
Question: How do pilots know when to descend to land on the assigned runway at the correct speed? Answer: Pilots plan the descent based on the wind and air traffic flow. Working in partnership with air traffic control, the descent is executed allowing adequate distance to descend and line up with the proper runway.
What is the 500ft rule in aviation?
An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.