The rate of descent is a crucial parameter in aviation, as it indicates the aircraft’s vertical speed during descent. Pilots use this information to manage descents for safe and efficient flight, descend to prescribed altitudes, and comply with air traffic control instructions.
The formula to calculate the rate of descent (ROD) of an aircraft is similar to the rate of climb formula but with a negative sign to indicate descent:
- Rate of Descent (ROD) is the vertical speed at which the aircraft is descending, typically measured in feet per minute (ft/min) or meters per second (m/s).
- Change in Altitude is the difference in altitude between two points in time, measured in feet (ft) or meters (m).
- Time is the duration over which the altitude change occurs, typically measured in minutes (min) or seconds (s).