PilotEdge Forums

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.

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.

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.

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.

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