MD83 flight crew is informed after the flight that vmo was exceeded by 19 KIAS during descent. The e...

Narrative:

On a descent from FL290; I engaged the VNAV function for descent. This was the first time I'd tried using this outside of the simulator. Immediately upon selecting this mode; the aircraft pitched up and began climbing. I abandoned the VNAV function and selected indicated mach for descent. I began a discussion with the captain about various descent modes and did not press the mach changeover button to get the aircraft to descend in IAS instead of mach. Soon; we noticed the speed was increasing towards vmo. I disconnected the autopilot and readjusted pitch to slow the aircraft. For my part; more vigilance in monitoring the aircraft's performance while under automation was called for. There were several traps that I could have been more aware of. Beginning a descent at IAS/mach changeover altitude should probably have been initiated in IAS instead of in mach. Also; more training in VNAV in the initial [training center] would also have helped. VNAV descents and climbs were not trained to any degree of proficiency and were left for us to learn on the line if we desired.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD83 flight crew is informed after the flight that Vmo was exceeded by 19 KIAS during descent. The event is described by the Captain as a new hire First Officer attempting to learn the auto flight system on the line; since the company will not do this training in the simulator.

Narrative: On a descent from FL290; I engaged the VNAV function for descent. This was the first time I'd tried using this outside of the simulator. Immediately upon selecting this mode; the aircraft pitched up and began climbing. I abandoned the VNAV function and selected indicated Mach for descent. I began a discussion with the Captain about various descent modes and did not press the mach changeover button to get the aircraft to descend in IAS instead of mach. Soon; we noticed the speed was increasing towards Vmo. I disconnected the autopilot and readjusted pitch to slow the aircraft. For my part; more vigilance in monitoring the aircraft's performance while under automation was called for. There were several traps that I could have been more aware of. Beginning a descent at IAS/Mach changeover altitude should probably have been initiated in IAS instead of in Mach. Also; more training in VNAV in the initial [training center] would also have helped. VNAV descents and climbs were not trained to any degree of proficiency and were left for us to learn on the line if we desired.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1197205
Time
Date	201408
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-83
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Descent
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	MCP
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Speed All Types

MD83 flight crew is informed after the flight that vmo was exceeded by 19 KIAS during descent. The event is described by the captain as a new hire first officer attempting to learn the auto flight system on the line; since the company will not do this training in the simulator.