In the same scenario, what constant descent rate is required to descend from 10,000 ft to 6,000 ft over 10 minutes?

In the same scenario, what constant descent rate is required to descend from 10,000 ft to 6,000 ft over 10 minutes?

• A. 600 FPM
• B. 400 FPM
• C. 200 FPM
• D. 100 FPM

Answer: (B)

A constant rate of descent is found by dividing the altitude you must lose by the time you have. You need to go from 10,000 ft down to 6,000 ft, which is a 4,000 ft loss. With 10 minutes to do it, the rate is 4,000 ft ÷ 10 min = 400 ft per minute. So, 400 FPM is the steady descent rate that lands you at 6,000 ft after 10 minutes. If you used 600 FPM, you’d descent 6,000 ft in 10 minutes and would reach the target altitude too early (overshooting the required loss). If you used 200 FPM or 100 FPM, you’d only lose 2,000 ft or 1,000 ft in 10 minutes, not enough to reach 6,000 ft.

A constant rate of descent is found by dividing the altitude you must lose by the time you have. You need to go from 10,000 ft down to 6,000 ft, which is a 4,000 ft loss. With 10 minutes to do it, the rate is 4,000 ft ÷ 10 min = 400 ft per minute. So, 400 FPM is the steady descent rate that lands you at 6,000 ft after 10 minutes.

If you used 600 FPM, you’d descent 6,000 ft in 10 minutes and would reach the target altitude too early (overshooting the required loss). If you used 200 FPM or 100 FPM, you’d only lose 2,000 ft or 1,000 ft in 10 minutes, not enough to reach 6,000 ft.