Definition
An ATC advisory phrase used during arrival to inform a pilot of the approximate distance from their present position at which they should expect to receive a descent clearance from their currently assigned altitude. It is a planning notice, not a clearance to descend.
Plain English
ATC is telling you roughly how far ahead they plan to start your descent. You stay at your current altitude until they actually clear you down.
Context Anchor
Heard on the radio during an instrument arrival when ATC wants the pilot to plan ahead but cannot clear the aircraft lower yet.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots advance notice to plan vertical navigation, manage energy, and avoid abrupt level-off or descent maneuvers.
Intuition Check
Do not read “expect” as permission. It means “be ready for this later,” not “do it now.”
Example Sentence 1
Center called, 'November Three Four Alpha, expect descent in two-zero miles,' so the pilot began planning the top-of-descent point but maintained 11,000 feet.
Example Sentence 2
Hearing expect descent in 8 miles allowed the pilot to reduce power gradually in preparation for the arrival.