What is maximum rate (fpm) while step climbing and decending rate (-fpm) for approach ?
Hi,
The maximum rate of climb (fpm) while step climbing can vary depending on the aircraft and its weight, but a typical climb rate is around 1,000 to 2,000 feet per minute (fpm).
For the descending rate (fpm) during approach, a standard descent rate is around 800 to 1,300 fpm. This can be adjusted based on the aircraft type, weight, and approach requirements.
1 Like
I personally do:
3500 to FL100
3000 through FL150
2500 through FL200
2000 through FL240
1800 through FL280
1500 through FL300
1400 through FL320 and so on
Things may change depending on loads
2 Likes
Agreed. Depends on load and aircraft type.
2 Likes
As mentioned in the previous replies, it tends to vary from aircraft to aircraft and depends on your speed and load. Something I do when climbing is keeping an eye on my N1% and THR%. If it’s too high (usually N1 100%+ or THR 97%+) during a climb, my VS fpm is too high. For descending, you’d need to keep an eye on your airspeed and make sure that you’re able to slow down (with or without flight spoilers) while descending. I consider -2400+fpm VS while descending too high. But then again, it all depends on your aircraft, approach and load. Try looking up a guide for your aircraft to find help.
1 Like
You can refer to the website below for a rough number but you still need to pay attention to your load which is very important on calculating.
Aircraft types | SKYbrary Aviation Safety
1 Like
This is what I used to do, but it seems simpler and is more realistic to leave the throttle at 80-90% N1 without autothrottle and change the V/S to keep the speed. This usually comes out to around 2500-4000 fpm until 10,000, gradually reducing to around 1000 fpm nearing cruise altitude. The N1 and fpm depend on the plane, load, and the latter even the weather. I use the same technique for step climbs which usually comes out to 500-1000 fpm.
Vertical navigation during approach is usually not based on V/S, but it usually comes out to around -750 fpm. The max would be -1000 fpm below 1000 ft AFL to meet stabilized approach criteria.
2 Likes
This question is a bit loaded because you don’t give the aircraft type for anyone to give better situations.
To cover the descent rate, VNAV will handle that. But the aircraft is the deciding factor. In a 320 per se, MAX descent rate would be -2400 V/S, but the TOD is different than say, the B777.
The B777 is heavier and takes longer to slow down so the descent rate has to be lower so the aircraft can reduce speed.
For climb, I generally, depending on the aircraft, set the initial to 3000 VS to FL100.
I lower the VS to 2500 from FL100 to FL300 and then down to 2000VS til TOC. Ideally I want to get to FL100 quickly but then I can determine the climb rate based on what simbrief gives for the ToC.
2 Likes
i climb with a rate to mantain 90 n1 and mantaining speed
2 Likes
Yeah, in the sense that when your power is set, your vertical speed is variable to whatever value necessary to maintain required forward speed. For both climb and descent. (for the given setting of flaps, gear and air brakes).
While the op asked for max, the max possible varies.
Though asking for ballpark figures makes sense too.
But maintaining forward speed as the goal sees the vertical speed choice appropriately, as managing an energy balance (between potential, kinetic and drag dissipation).
1 Like
The limit on both of them is aircraft performance dependent. On climb rate if you can not maintain airspeed you are climbing too steeply. On decent if you are gaining speed you are probably descending too fast. Good rule of thumb is the 3:1 rule. Plan for 3 miles for every 1,000 feet of altitude. Your feet per minute is determined by both your angle of climb/descent and your forward speed, so a lot factors in. Particularly for climb it will be very weight and altitude sensitive. Same for descent but to a somewhat lesser degree not to mention you are almost always much lighter on descent.
3 Likes