Definition
A reference table, printed on instrument approach charts, that gives the rate of descent in feet per minute required to maintain a specified glide path angle at various groundspeeds. It is used primarily on non-precision approaches to compute the descent rate needed to fly a stabilized profile from the final approach fix to the runway.
Plain English
A small chart on an approach plate that tells you how fast you need to come down (in feet per minute) for a given speed over the ground, so you arrive at the runway on the correct slope.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts in or near the profile view, especially when planning or flying the descent portion of an approach.
Derivation
Rate means an amount measured over time. Descent means movement downward. Table comes from the idea of information arranged in rows and columns. Together, the phrase points to a row-and-column aid that shows how much downward movement is needed each minute.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise control of the descent path so the aircraft clears obstacles and reaches the runway aiming point safely in instrument conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a general list of descents. In this context, it is a specific approach-chart aid that converts groundspeed into the vertical speed needed to follow the published descent path.
Example Sentence 1
During the approach briefing, the pilot checked the rate of descent table and noted that at 90 knots groundspeed, a 480 foot-per-minute descent would keep the aircraft on the published 3-degree path.
Example Sentence 2
During the final segment the crew used the rate of descent table to adjust vertical speed as groundspeed changed.