Good day everyone,
after my flight today I asked myself, if an approach clearance also includes that you can reduce to final app speed when you where instructed to hold a specific speed a few calls before?
As far as i know you are allowed to reduce your speed when not otherwise instructed in the approach clearance in FAA land.
“Approach clearances or climb via/descend via clearances cancel any previously assigned speeds. Pilots are expected to make their own speed adjustments to fly the approach, SID, or STAR unless assigned speeds are restated.” ( FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-6-4).
However, I can’t find a specific rule for EASA. In my understanding you have to comply with the last speed instruction until its revised, but I’am absolutely not sure.
Maybe someone else here knows better than me.
That is an implication that only exists in some parts of the world (namely North America). The FAA, e.g., says Approach clearances or climb via/descend via clearances cancel any previously assigned speeds. Pilots are expected to make their own speed adjustments to fly the approach, SID, or STAR unless assigned speeds are restated.
I also couldn’t find something definitive in EASA’s SERA with a quick glance, but ICAO says Speed control instructions shall remain in effect unless explicitly cancelled or amended by the controller. (i.e., the cancellation of speed instructions can not be implied by another clearance, such as the approach clearance). However, SERA states that The air traffic controller should not apply speed control to aircraft after passing a point 7 km (4 NM) from the threshold on final approach., so if ATC doesn’t cancel your speed, you can slow down regardless within 4 NM final.
And as always: communication is key. If you are under speed control but need to start slowing down to ensure the safety of the aircraft (e.g. achieving your stabilized approach criteria), tell ATC that you have to reduce now and what speed you will now be flying and then it’s their job to figure it out. A great example of how to do this as a pilot and how to not do it as a controller can be seen in this VASAviation video.
Remember, PIC has final authority as to the operation of the aircraft, not ATC. If you’re cleared to do something you can’t, to include holding too high of a speed for too long, you’ve got a magic word at your disposal: “unable”.
In a video game, there are no consequences, so if you feel like giving an unreasonable clearance a shot, go for it. But if the goal is realism: that’s YOUR airplane, not the controller’s.