GM1 to AMC3 ATS.TR.210(a)(3) Operation of air traffic control service

VERTICAL SPEED CONTROL INSTRUCTIONS — GENERAL

(a)The air traffic controller may instruct an aircraft to expedite climb or descent as appropriate to or through a specified level, or to reduce its rate of climb or rate of descent.

(b)The air traffic controller may instruct climbing aircraft to maintain a specified rate of climb, a rate of climb equal to or greater than a specified value or a rate of climb equal to or less than a specified value.

(c)The air traffic controller may instruct descending aircraft to maintain a specified rate of descent, a rate of descent equal to or greater than a specified value or a rate of descent equal to or less than a specified value.

(d)In applying vertical speed control, the air traffic controller should ascertain to which level(s) climbing aircraft can sustain a specified rate of climb or, in the case of descending aircraft, the specified rate of descent which can be sustained.

(e)Air traffic controllers should be aware of aircraft performance characteristics and limitations in relation to a simultaneous application of horizontal and vertical speed limitations.