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An aircraft is at 4500 ft and needs to descend to 1000 ft over a distance of 15 NM while flying at 75 knots groundspeed. What rate of descent in ft/min is necessary?

  • A

    Approximately 300 ft/min.

  • B

    Approximately 400 ft/min.

  • C

    Approximately 600 ft/min.

  • D

    Approximately 500 ft/min.

First, calculate the altitude to gain:

  • Altitude to gain = 4500 ft - 1000 ft = 3500 ft

Convert distance and speed to time:

We know:

  • Time = Distance ÷ Groundspeed
    Time = 15 NM ÷ 75 kt = 0.2 h

Convert hours to minutes:

  • 0.2 h x 60 = 12 minutes

Calculate required rate of climb:

Rate of climb (RoC) is:

  • RoC = altitude gain ÷ time
    RoC = 3500 ft ÷ 12 min = 291.7 ft/min

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