What is the process to calculate descent rate?

To find the descent rate, the most appropriate method involves understanding how altitude and time relate to vertical speed. The correct approach is to divide the vertical distance (altitude loss) by the time taken to descend that distance. This can be expressed mathematically as:

Descent Rate = Altitude Loss (in feet or meters) / Time Taken (in seconds or minutes)

However, option B discusses using ground speed divided by distance to travel, which is more aligned with horizontal flight calculation, rather than directly calculating descent rate, which is focusing on vertical movement.

The other options do not correctly represent the descent rate calculation. For example, dividing altitude by time does not account for the actual vertical distance lost nor does it reflect the necessary time conditions. Multiplying speed and altitude also doesn't provide a meaningful rate of descent, as it conflates vertical and horizontal movements without providing a clear mechanism to define descent rate.

Therefore, the correct answer aligns with the conceptual understanding of descent rate calculation, focusing on vertical measures rather than horizontal speed or travel distance.