I still wonder why they even put detents on the flight spoilers, getting rid oof them would make it a heck of a lot smoother.

I'm not saying don't use them. Use them if you need them. My point is that there is a lot of speed brake usage that is a result of **** poor planning. I have flow a lot of different airplanes with speed brakes and on some you need them more than others, 75/76. Even on the 75/76 you can minimize their use with good planning. I do my best to operate the airplane like I'm paying the fuel bill. I have seen way too many pilots over the years use the speedbrake as a crutch to fix their constant poor planning errors.

I don't get your point. If you were paying the fuel bill and REALLY wanted to save money you'd use the speedbrake every flight because you'd stay high as long as you possibly can before making a steep 4 or 5 degree descent at flight idle max speedbrakes. That would be the most efficient way to fly the plane but would be dumb to do since you have used up all possible methods to shed energy for any unanticipated events ( increased tailwind, ATC speed reduction, crossing restriction etc)

For me 200 speedbrake use has increased drastically because we reduced our flap 8 limitation to 200kts from 215kts due to increased flap failures. When the 200s 1st came out the factory limitation was 230kts

Or do they?......

Trip, it's been proven that a prolonged idle descent is more efficient than s slam dunk 5 degree/idle/max speedbrakes. The method you suggested only gets you a few extra minutes at top of cruise and the reduced time at idle negates what fuel you saved by staying high longer. It is also not as friendly when it comes to passenger comfort. Obviously there are times when we need to use speedbrakes but you are missing my point that with better planning we can minimize their usage and save fuel.

spot on post, 1067.

In the CRJ-200, 250 knot climb to .66-.68 cruise to 250 knot idle descent with no speed brakes is the most efficient you can operate the aircraft in most situations.

All true. Just making sure you clarified your statement from earlier. :D

CRJ200 above fl250, that takes 4 hours.

Yeah I heard that it's not the fastest climbing jet out there. It's gotta be better then trying to get a heavily loaded Saab to FL230 in mid August. That took some time!

Above FL200, the CRJ is a pig to climb, 300-500ft per minute (300 fpm when you get up higher)

Sorry to start the whole speedbrake debate. I use them in the 737 when necessary. A lot of places we go, they keep us high and then dump us in (ATC). In the CRJ, the speedbrakes are much more noticable to passengers, than in other planes (maybe because of the detents). Again, like others have said, planning ahead is the best way to avoid using them in some situations. I've seen guys in the CRJ-700 and -900 that ALWAYS use them, even when it seems there is no need. One other thing that relates to this is, if you are going 280-290 and a controller ask you to slow to 250, you don't need to pull the boards all the way out and slow in 5 seconds (I've seen that a lot in the NYC area) I don't think the ATC guy wants to see 250 on the next sweep of the radar. Power to idle in a CRJ will slow you down quick. Just an opinion. There are many techniques to flying different aircraft, stick to the company and manufacturer limits and standards, and use the techniques that work for you.

It's a fun plane to fly (CRJ). It sucks as a passenger. Give them the best ride you can (or care to), and be safe:D