Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot

Question 1

Speed Limits: In the United States

Answer 1

Mach 1 (91.817)
Unless you have a special flight authorization - 91.818

Question 2

Speed Limits: Above 10,000

Answer 2

Unrestricted (below Mach 1)

Question 3

Speed Limits: Procedure Turns

Answer 3

200 KIAS

Question 4

Speed Limits: Class C

Answer 4

200 KIAS
(At or below 2,500’ AGL within 4 NM of the airport)

Question 5

If a controller issues a speed restriction while vectoring you and then gives you an altitude change, does the speed restriction still apply?

Answer 5

Yes (AIM 4-4-12)

Question 6

Can you exceed 250 KIAS below 10,000’ if ATC says “Maintain Best Forward Speed”?

Answer 6

No.

ATC does not have the authority to lift the 250 below 10,000 speed restriction.

Question 7

If a controller assigns a speed above 250 while at or above 10,000’, and then later issues of descent below 10,000 feet, it is understood that you must SLOW to _______ BEFORE descending below 10,000’.

Answer 7

250 KIAS

Question 8

Can ATC in a class C or D assign you a speed greater than 200?

Answer 8

Yes.

Any speed deviation above 200 must be specifically assigned by ATC (“…maintain 220 knots.”)

Question 9

What are your max holding speeds and what are the altitudes?

Answer 9

0 - 6,000 : 200
6,001 - 14,000 : 230
14,001 and above : 265

Question 10

How many degrees per second is a standard rate turn?

Answer 10

3 degrees per second or 25 degrees of bank

Question 11

When assigned a hold still many miles from the fix, is it smart to ask for a speed reduction immediately?

Answer 11

Yes.

This will save fuel, reduce your time in the hold, or possibly eliminate the need for the hold all together.

Question 12

What is the length of time for the inbound leg of a hold? (Hint: there are 2)

Answer 12

At or below 14,000’ : 1 min
Above 14,000’ : 1 1/2 min

Question 13

Standard turns in a holding pattern is to which direction?

Answer 13

Right Turns!

Question 14

What approach category are we if we are flying Vref +10 (ie. 135 KIAS) throughout the approach?

Answer 14

Category A (0-90)
Category B (91-120)
Category C (121-140)
Category D (141-165)
Category E (Abv 165)

Question 15

What approach category are we if we will be circling at Vref +20 (ie. 145)?

Answer 15

Category A (0-90)
Category B (91-120)
Category C (121-140)
Category D (141-165)
Category E (Abv 165)

Question 16

What is the ATC guideline when assigning Speed Adjustments to… Arriving Turbojets below 10,000’?

Answer 16

AIM 4-4-12
Between FL280 and 10,000’, no less than 250 kts.
Below 10,000’…not less than 210 kts, except when within 20 miles of the landing airport, then not less than 170 kts.

To us pilots, this means - fly as fast as practical (within speed limits) unless ATC asks you to adjust.