B737-700 flight crew commenced slowing the aircraft for final configuration after being cleared by A...

Narrative:

We were assigned 210 knots on downwind while on the arrival.... After turning us north on a vector toward final; the controller switched us to the final approach controller. The final approach controller cleared us for a visual approach.... In my experience; if a controller wants us at a certain speed to the FAF; he will usually assign it with the approach clearance. We did not get a speed assignment with the visual approach clearance. The captain asked me if we could now slow down since we were cleared for a visual approach; and I said 'I think so.' he began to slow and configure since we were going to join the final approach course right at the FAF. After a minute or so; the controller asked us to say our speed which I reported as 190 knots. He said that for future reference; we should maintain the speed previously assigned until told otherwise and then told us to maintain 180 knots to the final approach fix and switched us to the tower.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-700 flight crew commenced slowing the aircraft for final configuration after being cleared by ATC for a Visual Approach. ATC advised that the previously assigned speed was to have been maintained until the Final Approach Fix.

Narrative: We were assigned 210 knots on downwind while on the Arrival.... After turning us North on a vector toward final; the Controller switched us to the final Approach Controller. The final Approach Controller cleared us for a Visual Approach.... In my experience; if a Controller wants us at a certain speed to the FAF; he will usually assign it with the approach clearance. We did not get a speed assignment with the visual approach clearance. The Captain asked me if we could now slow down since we were cleared for a Visual Approach; and I said 'I think so.' He began to slow and configure since we were going to join the final approach course right at the FAF. After a minute or so; the Controller asked us to say our speed which I reported as 190 knots. He said that for future reference; we should maintain the speed previously assigned until told otherwise and then told us to maintain 180 knots to the Final Approach Fix and switched us to the Tower.

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	1256858
Time
Date	201504
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-700
Flight Phase	Descent
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 173 Flight Crew Type 173
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 197
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Speed All Types

B737-700 flight crew commenced slowing the aircraft for final configuration after being cleared by ATC for a visual approach. ATC advised that the previously assigned speed was to have been maintained until the final approach fix.