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About what descent rate holds a 3 degree glide path at 120 knots groundspeed?

About 600 fpm: groundspeed times 5.

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  1. About 600 feet per minute ✔
  2. About 300 feet per minute
  3. About 1,000 feet per minute

Why: For a three-degree path, multiply groundspeed by 5. At 120 knots that is 600 feet per minute. As groundspeed drops or rises, the needed rate drops or rises with it.

Huh, didn't know that: At 120 knots you cover 2 NM per minute, so a descent of 6,000 feet at 600 fpm takes 10 minutes and 20 NM.

The dad joke
Multiply groundspeed by five: the only time five times anything helps you come down.
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References

Answer: About 600 feet per minute. For a three-degree path, multiply groundspeed by 5. At 120 knots that is 600 feet per minute. As groundspeed drops or rises, the needed rate drops or rises with it.

  1. FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook, Chapter 3 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/FAA-H-8083-16B_Chapter_3.pdf
    To determine ROD for a three-degree path, simply multiply your groundspeed by 5.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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