A "good" and comfortable rate of descent for a commercial airliner is typically between 1,500 and 2,500 feet per minute (fpm). This range allows the aircraft to lose altitude efficiently without causing significant "ear pop" or discomfort for passengers. In the world of general aviation, a pilot often calculates the required rate of descent by multiplying their groundspeed by 5 (e.g., if flying at 100 knots, a 500 fpm descent will maintain a standard 3-degree glidepath). During the final approach to the runway, the rate of descent slows down to approximately 500 to 700 fpm to ensure a stabilized landing. If a descent exceeds 3,000 fpm at low altitudes, it can trigger "Sink Rate" warnings in the cockpit. The goal of a professional pilot is to keep the descent "continuous" and gradual, avoiding steep "dive and drive" maneuvers that can be jarring for those in the cabin.