IFR Descent in non pressurized aircrafts

[Thomas_Horn]

I know that virtual passengers feel no pain in their ears when I descend at 1000 fpm or more in a non pressurized aircraft...
However - after I have been flying IFR for quite a while on PE, I noticed that I need to descend pretty fast (1000 fpm) after getting the instruction from the controller...otherwise I would not reach required altitudes for the approach.
In real world, that would be too fast for passenger´s comfort I guess...Usually you do a 500 fpm, right?

Just curious how your experience is on this.

[Keith Smith]

Opinion may vary on this one. I do most of my descents at 500-800fpm with my Lancair for reasons of efficiency. However, I've done 1000-2000fpm descents with absolutely no discomfort.

Btw, when you say 'required altitudes for the approach', unless you're talking about the glideslope intercept point on a precision approach, most altitudes are "at or above" on stepdowns prior to the FAF, so being higher at those points wouldn't be a procedural error. This might allow you to spread the descent over a longer period of time.

[wmburns]

Might also be handy to mention the aircraft type and cruise speed. For a high performance aircraft, likely a 500 FPM decent has some practical considerations. For example:

• For a high performance aircraft with a high cruise speed, 500 FPM is a very shallow decent. Perhaps well below a 3 degree. This may take a very long distance to descend.
• Many aircraft are more efficient at higher altitudes. By cruising as high as possible for as long as possible, this saves fuel. Even more when descending using minimum power.

[Keith Smith]

True, except for the point about 'this may take a very long time to descend.' The time it takes a Cessna 172 to descend 8000ft to 2000ft (6k descent) @ 500fpm is 12 minutes. The same is true in a Lancair 360, Boeing 747, or Steinway Grand Piano. The descent rate is what it is. The descent gradient is what will vary greatly based on speed.

[PenfoldPilot]

Skydivers descend at about 10,000fpm with no discomfort. The exception is if there is some sort of head cold or sinus issue.