Originally Posted by
DAL4EVER
In the 757, the spoilers are used all the time in the terminal area at large airports. At 250 knots, the airplane will descend around 1500 FPM clean and at 210 knots its around 1200 FPM clean. The boards will add around an extra 500 to 800 FPM. Its the only way to come down. Usually, I will leave the flaps up until a speed reduction below 210 knots is required. It conserves gas and is a good estimate for all but the heaviest of weights. Flaps 5, 180 knots and spoilers extended will yield around a 1800 FPM descent. With spoilers extended, roll control is much more pronounced so when hand flying its something you will notice.
All true and the funny thing is trying to explain to non-fliers that the lack of good drag inducing devices is a real negative.
Seems that SAN and SFO were frequent west coast stations where you wound up high and with plenty of energy. The only solution was gear and more flaps. The speedbrakes just told the pax you were
trying to slow down.
The 'boards' on the 727 and the MD-80 were quite effective plus the high extension speeds for gear/flaps on the MD-80 turned high approaches into mostly easily solved problems.
And if you really want to have fun, use half spoilers.. as you know, that will really give you some quick bank angles. The trick is not to jerk the pax or F/As around while doing it.