ememic99 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:44 amThis is OT but why would you go below 40% on descent? I initiate descent just few minutes before actual TOD keeping power somewhere between 60% and 70% (with 1000 FPM or more) rarely going below except when experiencing turbulence. Also, the exception for early descent is strong headwind when I try to reach better conditions lower.
Definite thread drift, but...ememic99 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 10, 2023 5:44 amThis is OT but why would you go below 40% on descent? I initiate descent just few minutes before actual TOD keeping power somewhere between 60% and 70% (with 1000 FPM or more) rarely going below except when experiencing turbulence. Also, the exception for early descent is strong headwind when I try to reach better conditions lower.
In short, to slow both my lateral and vertical speeds. I prefer to descend at no more than 700fpm. On my last flight, due to an MVA, I had to lose 8,000' in 24nm which would have required 1,000fpm at cruise speed. Further a) I was landing at a non-towered airport in VMC far from any Bravo or Charlie that would require ADSB so "see and avoid" was the order of the day, b) in the middle of the NV desert there is a decent probability of encountering NORDO planes, and c) the FAA recently further discouraged straight in approaches in VMC so I would need to make a 135˚ turn before encountering a mountain that was 1,500' above TPA to enter on the left 45.
Separately, lowering the power makes more sense to me than lowering the gear so I can keep the power setting higher.
FWIW, at 13,000', 40% power and -900fpm I was doing 180TAS. At 8,000', 25% power and -800fpm I was still doing 150TAS and dropped the gear before making the 135˚ turn to enter the left 45.
