Notices
Part 135 Part 135 commercial operators

Descent profile

Old 03-01-2009, 10:04 AM
  #1  
On Reserve
Thread Starter
 
Jumper51's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: Shorts 330
Posts: 18
Default Descent profile

Hey all,
I'm getting the opportunity to fly a King Air and I've never been in the Flight Levels before. Being new to pressurization and such what kind of descent profile do guys use. Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks
Jumper51 is offline  
Old 03-01-2009, 10:14 AM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
dn_wisconsin's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 1,114
Default

When ATC starts you down. Sorry, had to but a 3 to 1 always works well. Don't worry if you ever get behind it, you can make it drop like a rock. I don't recall ever having a problem with the pressurization catching up, just don't drop it out of the flight levels and you should be fine. Have fun with it, it was my favorite plane to fly.
dn_wisconsin is offline  
Old 03-01-2009, 11:13 AM
  #3  
Line Holder
 
Qtip's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: B747, Left
Posts: 85
Default

Originally Posted by Jumper51 View Post
Hey all,
I'm getting the opportunity to fly a King Air and I've never been in the Flight Levels before. Being new to pressurization and such what kind of descent profile do guys use. Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks
3:1: Altitude to lose x 3 = distance from crossing restriction/fix
Example: 20,000 ft. x 3 = 60
Start descent 60 miles out

Start down 60 NM out. Adjust your VS according to your GS at any one time.
Required vertical speed to meet restriction:
Ground speed x 5
Example: 250 kts. x 5 = 1250 ft. VS\
(OR add a zero to GS and divide by two: 250 + 0 = 2500 / 2 = 1250 ft. VS)
Qtip is offline  
Old 03-01-2009, 11:47 AM
  #4  
APC co-founder
 
HSLD's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
Default

Also, if your flying into an uncontrolled field give yourself some room to maneuver for the approach instead of a bee-line from flight levels to the airport. If your flying in a radar environment, ATC may spoon-feed your speeds, alt, and heading all the way to intercept final but do the headwork to make sure what ATC assigns is safe and do-able.

A good gouge would be 30 air miles from touchdown at 10,000' (3:1). By air miles, I'm talking about the length of downwind, base, final. This might be overkill in the King Air as it can descend pretty well. It's better to have to much room than not enough and as you get more experience you'll know what you can get away with.

Have fun!
HSLD is offline  
Old 03-01-2009, 12:30 PM
  #5  
On Reserve
Thread Starter
 
Jumper51's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: Shorts 330
Posts: 18
Default

Thanks guys,
As the gear puller on the Sherpa we tend to stay fairly close to the base in RDD and when we do venture off we tend to stick to ourselves unless we need to call ATC but now I hope to get some admin flights in and my boss is arranging for some logistical work in AK so I appreciate your input. Been lurking on this site for awhile now not being an airline guy but you have some valuable info sharing here and I hope to be involved.
Jumper51 is offline  
Old 03-02-2009, 04:43 AM
  #6  
Flying Farmer
 
Ewfflyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
Default

Pressurized T-prop, you can easily do 2000-3000fpm if you have to(but pax comfort tends to be 1500fpm or less just because of the angle). In the TBM's I try to fly 1500fpm profiles just because it gives me the max time at alt(if ATC lets me), and then it puts me 20kts under redline at 100% torque in the descent until I get in the mid-teens. If I'm solo, then it's a 3000fpm+ profile if I'm allowed, max efficiency!
Ewfflyer is offline  
Old 03-02-2009, 08:16 AM
  #7  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Rebuilt's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Posts: 124
Default

I used the 3:1 and also added a mile for every 10 kts. of tailwind and a mile for every 10 kts. of assigned speed reduction.
Rebuilt is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RVSM Certified
Flight Schools and Training
23
02-28-2009 08:58 PM
Adlerdriver
Hangar Talk
13
01-19-2009 11:21 AM
Kdub
Fractional
193
09-17-2008 12:05 PM
eagle1
Fractional
6
08-26-2008 07:27 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices