At what rate should you descend to reach 20,000 feet from 35,000 feet?

To determine the correct descent rate to reach from 35,000 feet to 20,000 feet, you first need to establish the total altitude change required. This change is 15,000 feet, as you are moving from 35,000 feet down to 20,000 feet.

To calculate the time it takes to descend, you need to consider standard descent rates used in aviation. If you were to descend at a rate of 900 feet per minute, you can compute the time required to descend 15,000 feet:

15,000 feet ÷ 900 feet/minute = 16.67 minutes, which rounds to approximately 16 minutes and 40 seconds.

This rate is generally viewed in the context of safe and comfortable descents in aviation, aligning with procedural standards that maintain safety and passenger comfort.

Understanding the descent rates is crucial for planning and adhering to air traffic control procedures, which often advise specific descent rates based on airspace and traffic conditions. In this case, descending at 900 feet per minute is a reasonable and commonly acceptable rate for reaching lower altitudes efficiently and safely.