You are 50 NM from the VORTAC at FL350 when ATC clears you to cross the station at 10,000 feet. Using the 60 to 1 Rule, what is the required descent gradient?

To determine the required descent gradient using the 60 to 1 Rule, you first need to understand what this rule entails. The 60 to 1 Rule states that for every one degree of descent, you would descend approximately 1 nautical mile for every 60 knots of airspeed. This is relevant when calculating a descent path where both altitude change and distance to the target point are considered.

In this scenario, you are at 35,000 feet and your target is to cross the VORTAC at 10,000 feet, which indicates a total altitude change of 25,000 feet. You've mentioned you are 50 nautical miles away from the VORTAC and need to compute how steep your descent should be in feet per nautical mile.

To find the descent rate:

1. Calculate the altitude change:

• Starting altitude: 35,000 feet

• Target altitude: 10,000 feet

• Altitude change: 35,000 - 10,000 = 25,000 feet

2. Now, you divide the total altitude change by the distance:

• Distance to the VORTAC: 50 NM

• Required descent rate = 25,000 feet / 50