What is the relationship between ground speed and descent rate for a heavier aircraft?

What is the relationship between ground speed and descent rate for a heavier aircraft?

• A. Greater ground speed means a steeper rate of descent
• B. Less ground speed allows for a shallower descent rate
• C. Heavier aircraft require a shallower descent
• D. Ground speed is not affected by weight

Answer: (C)

Heavier aircraft typically require a shallower descent rate due to their greater mass and increased inertia. When an aircraft is heavier, it needs to maintain a certain amount of lift to counteract the weight, which can influence how quickly it can descend without risking issues such as loss of control or stalling. A shallower descent allows the aircraft to maintain a stable approach speed and ensures that it can safely manage its energy and lift throughout the descent, especially as it prepares for landing. In contrast, a steeper descent could lead to higher speeds at lower altitudes, increasing the risk of overspeed and making it more difficult to manage the approach safely. Therefore, heavier aircraft must adopt a gradual descent profile to maintain safety and operational efficiency during landing maneuvers.

Heavier aircraft typically require a shallower descent rate due to their greater mass and increased inertia. When an aircraft is heavier, it needs to maintain a certain amount of lift to counteract the weight, which can influence how quickly it can descend without risking issues such as loss of control or stalling. A shallower descent allows the aircraft to maintain a stable approach speed and ensures that it can safely manage its energy and lift throughout the descent, especially as it prepares for landing.

In contrast, a steeper descent could lead to higher speeds at lower altitudes, increasing the risk of overspeed and making it more difficult to manage the approach safely. Therefore, heavier aircraft must adopt a gradual descent profile to maintain safety and operational efficiency during landing maneuvers.