http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...a/7110.65R.pdf


Section 7. Speed Adjustment
5−7−1. APPLICATION
Keep speed adjustments to the minimum necessary to
achieve or maintain required or desired spacing.
Avoid adjustments requiring alternate decreases and
increases. Permit pilots to resume normal speed when
previously specified adjustments are no longer
needed.
NOTE−
It is the pilot’s responsibility and prerogative to refuse
speed adjustment that he/she considers excessive or
contrary to the aircraft’s operating specifications.
a. Consider the following when applying speed
control:
1. Determine the interval required and the point
at which the interval is to be accomplished.
2. Implement speed adjustment based on the
following principles.
(a) Priority of speed adjustment instructions
is determined by the relative speed and position of the
aircraft involved and the spacing requirement.
(b) Speed adjustments are not achieved
instantaneously. Aircraft configuration, altitudes,
and speed determine the time and distance required to
accomplish the adjustment.
3. Use the following techniques in speed control
situations:
(a) Compensate for compression when assigning
air speed adjustment in an in-trail situation by
using one of the following techniques:
(1) Reduce the trailing aircraft first.
(2) Increase the leading aircraft first.
(b) Assign a specific airspeed if required to
maintain spacing.
(c) Allow increased time and distance to
achieve speed adjustments in the following situations:
(1) Higher altitudes.
(2) Greater speed.
(3) Clean configurations.
(d) Ensure that aircraft are allowed to operate
in a clean configuration as long as circumstances
permit.
(e) Keep the number of speed adjustments per
aircraft to the minimum required to achieve and
maintain spacing.
b. Do not assign speed adjustment to aircraft:
1. At or above FL 390 without pilot consent.
2. Executing a published high altitude instrument
approach procedure.
3. In a holding pattern.
REFERENCE−
FAAO 7110.65, Holding Instructions, Para 4−6−4.
4. Inside the final approach fix on final or a point
5 miles from the runway, whichever is closer to the
runway.
c. At the time approach clearance is issued,
previously issued speed adjustments shall be restated
if required.
d. Approach clearances cancel any previously
assigned speed adjustment. Pilots are expected to
make their own speed adjustments to complete the
approach unless the adjustments are restated.
e. Express speed adjustments in terms of knots
based on indicated airspeed (IAS) in 10−knot
increments. At or above FL 240, speeds may be
expressed in terms of Mach numbers in 0.01 increments
for turbojet aircraft with Mach meters
(i.e., Mach 0.69, 0.70, 0.71, etc.).
NOTE−
1. Pilots complying with speed adjustment instructions
should maintain a speed within plus or minus 10 knots or
0.02 Mach number of the specified speed.
2. When assigning speeds to achieve spacing between
aircraft at different altitudes, consider that ground speed
may vary with altitude. Further speed adjustment may be
necessary to attain the desired spacing.
REFERENCE−
FAAO 7110.65, Methods, Para 5−7−2.
7110.65R 2/16/06
5−7−2 Speed Adjustment
5−7−2. METHODS
a. Instruct aircraft to:
1. Maintain present/specific speed.
2. Maintain specified speed or greater/less.
3. Maintain the highest/lowest practical speed.
4. Increase or reduce to a specified speed or by
a specified number of knots.
PHRASEOLOGY−
SAY AIRSPEED.
SAY MACH NUMBER.
MAINTAIN PRESENT SPEED.
MAINTAIN (specific speed) KNOTS.
MAINTAIN (specific speed) KNOTS OR GREATER.
DO NOT EXCEED (speed) KNOTS.
MAINTAIN MAXIMUM FORWARD SPEED.
MAINTAIN SLOWEST PRACTICAL SPEED.
INCREASE/REDUCE SPEED:
TO (specified speed in knots),
or
TO MACH (Mach number),
or
(number of knots) KNOTS.
EXAMPLE−
“Increase speed to Mach point seven two.”
“Reduce speed to two five zero.”
“Reduce speed twenty knots.”
“Maintain two eight zero knots.”
“Maintain maximum forward speed.”
NOTE−
1. A pilot operating at or above 10,000 feet MSL on an
assigned speed adjustment greater than 250 knots is
expected to comply with 14 CFR Section 91.117(a) when
cleared below 10,000 feet MSL, within domestic airspace,
without notifying ATC. Pilots are expected to comply with
the other provisions of 14 CFR Section 91.117 without
notification.
2. Speed restrictions of 250 knots do not apply to aircraft
operating beyond 12 NM from the coastline within the
U.S. Flight Information Region, in offshore Class E
airspace below 10,000 feet MSL. However, in airspace
underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an
airport, or in a VFR corridor designated through such as
a Class B airspace area, pilots are expected to comply with
the 200 knot speed limit specified in 14 CFR
Section 91.117(c). (See 14 CFR Sections 91.117(c) and
91.703.)
3. The phrases “maintain maximum forward speed” and
“maintain slowest practical speed” are primarily intended
for use when sequencing a group of aircraft. As the
sequencing plan develops, it may be necessary to
determine the specific speed and/or make specific speed
assignments.
b. To obtain pilot concurrence for a speed
adjustment at or above FL 390, as required by
para 5−7−1, Application, use the following phraseology.
PHRASEOLOGY−
(Speed adjustment), IF UNABLE ADVISE.
EXAMPLE−
“Reduce speed to one niner zero, if unable advise.”
c. Simultaneous speed reduction and descent can
be extremely difficult, particularly for turbojet
aircraft. Specifying which action is to be accomplished
first removes any doubt the pilot may have as
to controller intent or priority. Specify which action is
expected first when combining speed reduction with
a descent clearance.
1. Speed reductions prior to descent.
PHRASEOLOGY−
REDUCE SPEED:
TO (specified speed),
or
(number of knots) KNOTS.
THEN, DESCEND AND MAINTAIN (altitude).
2. Speed reduction following descent.
PHRASEOLOGY−
DESCEND AND MAINTAIN (altitude).
THEN, REDUCE SPEED:
TO (specified speed in knots),
or
2/16/06 7110.65R
Speed Adjustment 5−7−3
TO MACH (Mach number),
or
(number of knots) KNOTS.
NOTE−
When specifying descent prior to speed reduction, consider
the maximum speed requirements specified in 14 CFR
Section 91.117. It may be necessary for the pilot to level off
temporarily and reduce speed prior to descending below
10,000 feet MSL.
d. Specify combined speed/altitude fix crossing
restrictions.
PHRASEOLOGY−
CROSS (fix) AT AND MAINTAIN (altitude) AT (specified
speed) KNOTS.
EXAMPLE−
“Cross Robinsville at and maintain six thousand at
two three zero knots.”
REFERENCE−
FAAO 7110.65, Numbers Usage, Para 2−4−17.
FAAO 7110.65, Altitude Information, Para 4−5−7.
5−7−3. MINIMA
When assigning airspeeds, use the following
recommended minima:
a. To aircraft operating between FL 280 and
10,000 feet, a speed not less than 250 knots or the
equivalent Mach number.
NOTE−
1. On a standard day the Mach numbers equivalent to
250 knots CAS (subject to minor variations) are:
FL 240−0.6
FL 250−0.61
FL 260−0.62
FL 270−0.64
FL 280−0.65
FL 290−0.66.
2. If a pilot is unable to comply with the speed assignment,
the pilot will advise.
b. When an operational advantage will be
realized, speeds lower than the recommended
minima may be applied.
c. To arrival aircraft operating below 10,000 feet:
1. Turbojet aircraft. A speed not less than
210 knots; except when the aircraft is within 20 flying
miles of the runway threshold of the airport of
intended landing, a speed not less than 170 knots.
2. Reciprocating engine and turboprop aircraft.
A speed not less than 200 knots; except when the
aircraft is within 20 flying miles of the runway
threshold of the airport of intended landing, a speed
not less than 150 knots.
d. Departures:
1. Turbojet aircraft. A speed not less than
230 knots.
2. Reciprocating engine and turboprop aircraft.
A speed not less than 150 knots.
e. Helicopters. A speed not less than 60 knots.
REFERENCE−
FAAO 7110.65, Methods, Para 5−7−2.
5−7−4. TERMINATION
Advise aircraft when speed adjustment is no longer
needed.
PHRASEOLOGY−
RESUME NORMAL SPEED.
NOTE−
An instruction to “resume normal speed” does not delete
speed restrictions that are applicable to published
procedures of upcoming segments of flight, unless
specifically stated by ATC. This does not relieve the pilot
of those speed restrictions which are applicable to 14 CFR
Section 91.117.