Top of Descent
Top of descent calculator
Know where to start down. From your cruise and target altitudes, a descent rate and groundspeed, this gives the distance and time to the point where the descent must begin.
A still-air planning estimate. Wind, ATC and the published arrival all
change the real top-of-descent point — fly the cleared profile.
The descent
Groundspeed, not airspeed — the distance is over the ground.
ft
ft
fpm
kt
Result
—
Start descent
—
before the target point
Time to descend
—
Altitude to lose
—
Descent gradient
—