Flight Operations Briefing Notes
Descent Management
Descent and Approach Profile Management
I Introduction Inadequate management of descent-and-approach profile and/or incorrect management of aircraft energy level may lead to:

. Loss of vertical situational awareness; and/or,

. Rushed and unstabilized approaches.

Either situation increases the risk of approach-and-landing accidents, including those involving CFIT.

II Statistical Data Approximately 70 % of rushed and unstable approaches involve an inadequate management of the descent-and-approach profile and/or an incorrect management of energy level; this includes:

. Aircraft higher or lower than the desired vertical flight path; and/or,

. Aircraft faster or slower than the desired airspeed.

III Best Practices and Guidelines To prevent delay in initiating the descent and to ensure an optimum management of descent-and-approach profile, descent preparation and approach briefings should be initiated when pertinent data have been received (e.g ATIS, …), and completed before the top-of-descent (typically 10 minutes before).
 
Descent Preparation
Insert a realistic FMS flight plan built up from the arrival expected to be flown. If, for example, a standard terminal arrival route (STAR) is inserted in the FMS flight plan but is not expected to be flown, because of anticipated radar vectors, the STAR should be revised (i.e. The track-distance, altitude restrictions and/or speed restrictions) according to pilot’s expectations so as to allow the FMS adjustment of the top-of-descent point; and,
Wind forecast should be entered (as available) on the appropriate FMS page, at waypoints close to the top-of-descent point and along the descent profile in order to get a realistic top-of-descent.
Descent and Approach Briefing
The missed approach should be considered as being part of the approach. It may be part of the FMS flight plan, and it should be reviewed against the applicable approach chart. 
　
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