Decent from FL350

Alright.... I have a follow up question to hijack this thread (kind of still on topic):

If center says "Descend pilot's discretion to FL240" and you are ready to start descending right then what do you say? Do you read back the clearance and say something like "We're starting down now" or do you just say "Descending to FL240" or what?
 
You always want to inform ATC when you begin a PD descent for several reasons:

1. I think the AIM guidance is pretty clear that we should inform ATC when we vacate an assigned altitude. I personally consider a PD clearance to fall under this direction.

2. Informing ATC that you are leaving your assigned altitude frees up that altitude for other aircraft to utilize. So really, it is a courtesy to your fellow pilots. Remember, once you vacate an altitude on a PD clearance you can stop your descent but you may not return to any vacated altitude.

3. As has been touched on here, I think it is wise to inform ATC that you are descending just to draw them back into your flight. For just a moment they hear your call sign and that you are descending. If they have been distracted for whatever reason from your flight, this might be the call that gets them back.
 
dc3flyer said:
Alright.... I have a follow up question to hijack this thread (kind of still on topic):

If center says "Descend pilot's discretion to FL240" and you are ready to start descending right then what do you say? Do you read back the clearance and say something like "We're starting down now" or do you just say "Descending to FL240" or what?
Click to expand...


I would read back: "Continental 123, discretion FL240, vacating FL350 at this time."


Reading back "discretion" confirms to the controller that you understand you can start down when you like. "Vacating" tells him you have decided to do it now.
 
No reason not to, and lots of good reasons to. I also view it as a required call. As someone else said, I've never had anyone complain about it, and I've had numerous "thank you"s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top