Constant Descent Angle approaches.

The rate of descent table is for planning and executing precision descents (CDA – Constant Descent
Angle) NPA approaches such as LOC ONLY and RNAV approaches. Care should be exercised so that
minimum descent altitudes, SDF (Step-Down Fix) altitudes and the MAP are not exceeded.
Rate of descent table:
ANGLE OF ANGLE OF NM/FT GROUNDSPEED (KNOTS)
DESCENT DESCENT 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
(DEGREES) (PERCENT) VERTICAL RATE REQUIRED
2.7 4.72 287 574 622 670 718 765 813 861
2.8 4.89 297 594 644 693 742 792 842 891
2.9 5.07 308 616 667 719 770 821 873 924
3.0 5.23 318 636 689 743 795 848 901 954
3.1 5.41 329 658 713 768 822 877 932 987
3.2 5.60 340 680 737 793 850 907 963 1020
3.3 5.76 350 700 758 817 875 933 992 1050
3.4 5.94 361 722 782 842 902 963 1023 1083
3.5 6.11 371 742 804 866 928 989 1051 1113
3.6 6.29 382 762 828 891 955 1019 1082 1146
3.7 6.47 393 786 852 917 982 1048 1114 1179
3.8 6.81 414 828 897 966 1035 1104 1173 1242

How to use the table:

Example 1: VVDN 35R LOC ONLY Approach

Q. VVDN 35R LOC ONLY approach. Descent angle 3.0 degrees. GS 140kts. Cat C aircraft.
What is the DIST/ALT profile after FAF?
A. 6.2 DME (FAF) = 1970 ft
5.2 DME = 1970ft – 318ft = 1652ft
4.2 DME = 1652ft – 318ft = 1334ft
3.2 DME = 1334ft – 318ft = 1016ft
2.2 DME = 1016ft – 318ft = 698ft
1.6 DME (MAP) = 292ft (MDA). Note: Add 50ft to MDA (Insert into FMS for DDA)
Example 2: RKSI RNAV (GNSS) RWY 35L

RKSI RNAV (GNSS) RWY 35L approach. Descent angle 3.01 degrees. GS 140kts.
Q1. What is the DIST/ALT profile after FAF?

A1. 4.7 NM FMS (FAF) = 1600 ft

3.7 NM FMS = 1600ft – 318ft = 1272ft
2.7 NM FMS = 1272ft – 318ft = 964ft
1.7 NM FMS = 964ft – 318ft = 646ft
460ft (DA) LNAV/VNAV or
510ft (MDA) LNAV only
(Note: Add 50ft to LNAV MDA. Insert into FMS PERF Page for DDA Derived Decision Altitude)

Q2. What is the VDP (Visual Descent Point) Distance for the CDA approach?
A2. The MAP on the chart indicated as runway threshold is based on the “LEVEL OFF at MDA
technique” not based on the CDA (Constant Descent Angle) profile descent technique with the
use of a VDP (Visual descent point). To establish the correct VDP for CDA (Constant Descent
Angle) profile descent, the following mathematical calculations would be required:

A. LNAV/VNAV DA 430ft:
VDP DIST (in FT) = (DA/ SLOPE PERCENT) X 100
VDP DIST (in FT) = (430/ 5.23) X 100 = 8222FT
1NM = 6076ft
VDP DIST (in NM) = 8222ft/6076ft = 1.35 NM FMS DIST to RWY

B. LNAV/VNAV MDA 510ft:

VDP DIST (in FT) = (DA/ SLOPE PERCENT) X 100
VDP DIST (in FT) = (510/ 5.23) X 100 = 9751FT
1NM = 6076ft
VDP DIST (in NM) = 9751ft/6076ft = 1.60 NM FMS DIST to RWY