ATPL Navigation Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The maximum acceptable descent rate for stabilized approaches is generally recognized as being 1,000 feet per minute for both precision and non-precision approaches. This descent rate is established to ensure that pilots maintain control of the aircraft and allows for effective management of energy during the approach phase. A stabilized approach is critical for safety as it signifies that the aircraft is on the correct glide path and configuration for landing, reducing the potential for accidents during this critical phase of flight.

Maintaining this standard descent rate contributes to safe, manageable descend profiles, which are essential to prepare for landing while also adhering to operational regulations and best practices. While some variations in descent rates may be accepted in specific operational contexts, the 1,000 feet per minute standard for both types of approaches provides a consistent guideline that enhances safety and reliability in operations.

Although higher descent rates might be mentioned in other contexts or specific scenarios, they do not align with the best safety practices for stabilized approaches during landing, which is why those alternatives are not ideal for general navigation standards.