ATC vs. Aircraft Approach Speeds

Pilot121

Pilot121

Well-Known Member
Hello,
I am wondering what would happen if ATC assigned an aircraft a specific speed to stay above/below, but said aircraft is unable to comply because of its required approach speed. Are the speeds given by ATC typically about the same as the aircraft's approach speed?
Thanks,
Pilot121
 
Just about all the time, every speed we issue to an aircraft on final only applies up to the Final Approach Fix. I don't know what any aircraft's final approach speed is, but I know what most of them usually do and what seems normal for ground speed.
Ultimately if you're issued a speed to maintain (either fast or slow) and you can't fly that speed, just say Unable. We'll come up with another plan or you might be broken out of the approach sequence to find a better spot for you.
 
Controllers have a pretty good idea of the speeds different aircraft types can do based on experience, but like Stinger said, if you can't do it, just say unable and say the closest speed you can do.
 
RobertB said:
You're expected to be within +/- 10 knots of an assigned speed unless you say "unable" to a speed assignment.
Click to expand...
If you are going to use that 10 kt window to operate at a safe speed, just pipe up and say unable but we can do XXX instead. It usually works out better for all involved.

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk
 
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