Here is a question I have that seems to always get a different answer depending on who I ask. The RNAV arrivals into ATL have mandatory speeds attached to them at certain fixes which you are expected to comply with unless modified by ATC. The problem, is that certain ATC continue to give ambigious clearances.
I keep getting told "reduce speed to 280 kts".....to me this is very different than "maintain 280 kts". Are they expecting me to slow to 280 kts for now and then cross the fix at the charted 250 or 210 kts????....or do the want me to fly 280 kts until told otherwise? It seems some controllers expect you to slow at the fix and some don't.
I'm also apparently not the only one because you can pretty consistently keep hearing pilots asking "do you want the spped at #####?", which seems to annoy the controller more. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no, sometimes "I'll call your speed reduction". It seems one side of the equation doesn't know what the other side wants all the time. Very confusing
I keep getting told "reduce speed to 280 kts".....to me this is very different than "maintain 280 kts". Are they expecting me to slow to 280 kts for now and then cross the fix at the charted 250 or 210 kts????....or do the want me to fly 280 kts until told otherwise? It seems some controllers expect you to slow at the fix and some don't.
I'm also apparently not the only one because you can pretty consistently keep hearing pilots asking "do you want the spped at #####?", which seems to annoy the controller more. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no, sometimes "I'll call your speed reduction". It seems one side of the equation doesn't know what the other side wants all the time. Very confusing