Is there really a 250 kt limit below 10,000 feet?

Anton_ATC · February 23, 2016, 10:33am

When I’m operating as Tower or Approach, a lot of pilots would come in too fast, above 250 kt while they are below 10,000 feet. They’re not supposed to do that, so sometimes I tell them “Maintain slowest possible speed” since Tower cannot specify the exact speed.

On the other hand, when I watch planes in the real-world landing sequence on Flightradar24, I noticed that a lot of them are doing 260-290 kt on approach and sometimes even 320-340 kt on departure, all well below 10,000 feet. That’s at VHHK.

So is there really a strict speed limit in the real world and is it enforced?

grxninesix · February 23, 2016, 10:54am

Hi
Flightradar24 will show Ground Speed, the limit is on Airspeed.

Skylines · February 23, 2016, 11:11am

What he’s referring to is the game. Does the ATC see airspeed or ground speed…?

dush19 · February 23, 2016, 11:16am

Ground Speed. The ATC IN IF sees ground speed.

Skylines · February 23, 2016, 11:17am

halayuya! I finally found out ha ha.

AR_AR · February 23, 2016, 11:33am

http://www.flightsimaviation.com/data/FARS/part_91-117.html

Benny87654321 · February 23, 2016, 12:05pm

Yes but in real life if the controller gives you permission to a break that rule then you could go about 250kts under 10,000 feet (this command isn’t in infinite flight).

Chad_Garnett · February 23, 2016, 12:18pm

Yes there is a speed limit. I read that ACT may allow you to speed in certain circumstances such as when you’re flying over an unpopulated area.

masonh2479 · February 23, 2016, 12:42pm

There is a speed limit of 250kts below 10,000ft. This is largely due to the high amount of birds and planes below 10,000ft. The speed limit servers as a way to increase reaction time if you do see a bird or plane so that you can avoid it. The limit is not necessarily about the population it is more about avoiding collisions. This speed limit is enforced at least at my airport.

Kucher · February 23, 2016, 1:00pm

To see and avoid a bird at 250kt IAS? Haha :D

masonh2479 · February 23, 2016, 1:18pm

Haha, well it’s more for avoiding planes because if one was flying faster than 250kts you wouldn’t have much time to avoid them!

Paul_petropoulos · February 23, 2016, 1:23pm

But I think you can get approval from atc to keep a high speed approach is descending or to just fly at a higher speed.

masonh2479 · February 23, 2016, 1:26pm

You can for special events. For example for a military flyover the jets are allowed to fly up to 300kts

scandinaviangroup · February 23, 2016, 2:15pm

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Brandon_Sandstrom · February 23, 2016, 2:16pm

Maintain 250 kts.

scandinaviangroup · February 23, 2016, 2:18pm

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Brandon_Sandstrom · February 23, 2016, 2:20pm

How does it not hold at 250? And you don’t get a violation until 260.

scandinaviangroup · February 23, 2016, 2:21pm

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Brandon_Sandstrom · February 23, 2016, 2:23pm

Well if it’s gusting then your going to have to slow down and state unable to the speed request.

Samuel123abc · February 23, 2016, 2:25pm

Well, guys let’s face the problem:

ATC tells you to maintain 250 knots. IF does not give you violations if your speed is below 260 knots below 10000 feet, gusts can make your speed go high, but then the gusts slow down and you return to normal speed again, so really no problem.