Does a descent rate depend on the speed that the plane is traveling at?

[jetboy23]

This might be a brain teaser for some, but you could think about it two different ways. When descending, does the speed that the airplane is going at determine the time it will take for the plane to complete its descent? Just curious

[tvieno]

Since vertical speed is measured in feet per minute, the time will be the same. If you descend 10,000 ft at 1,000fpm, it will take 10 minutes regardless of your forward velocity. The twist is, if you will, if you are travelling 180 kts, you will travel 30 nm versus 20 nm at 120kts. At 180 kts it will take you farther to descend 10,000 ft but not quicker.

[jetboy23]

That's exactly what I thought! Just making sure