Ce-560XL first officer reported difficulty dealing with a descend via clearance; in part because of ...

Narrative:

While on our descent into richmond; va (ric); we were issued 'descend via' the SPIDR1 arrival. We set up the arrival into the FMS and armed the VNAV function of the autopilot. ATC then issued several series of 'descend and maintain' clearences; voiding the 'descend via' clearances. This initiated several sequences of arming/re-arming the vs and/or VNAV functions of autopilot. Upon the last 'descend via' clearance; it appeared to me that the autopilot was not going to capture the vpath. I then hit direct 8;000 feet + execute on the FMS. This then eliminated all remaining waypoints on arrival. We then went into heading mode until we went back and programmed remaining waypoints. This also made us about 1;000 feet high on a crossing restriction; thus the reason for this report. Contributing factors were the pilot flying's (first officer) lack of experience on the aircraft and with RNAV 'descend via' arrivals and the VNAV function of the autopilot; however; another contributing factor was ATC kept changing the clearance from descend via to descend and maintain which added to the complexity. Had there remained the original descend via clearance; this would not have resulted in the confusion. Corrective action: flight crew must have better coordination. Asking the lead pilot if input is correct before just hitting buttons on FMS. As a pilot I need continued experience in the aircraft and RNAV sids/stars. Also remaining vigilant that the airplane is doing what we want. Personally; I feel like the RNAV arrivals add complexity to an already critical phase of flight and are a violation waiting to happen for flight crews across the country. Human factors: affecting quality of performance was constant change of clearance by ATC which we need to adapt to. Remain sharp as a pilot and be prepared for the various differences in ATC centers across us.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CE-560XL First Officer reported difficulty dealing with a descend via clearance; in part because of crew errors; but also in part because of multiple ATC clearance changes.

Narrative: While on our descent into Richmond; VA (RIC); We were issued 'descend Via' the SPIDR1 arrival. We set up the arrival into the FMS and armed the VNAV function of the autopilot. ATC then issued SEVERAL series of 'descend and maintain' clearences; voiding the 'descend via' clearances. This initiated several sequences of arming/re-arming the VS and/or VNAV functions of autopilot. Upon the last 'descend via' clearance; it appeared to me that the autopilot was not going to capture the VPATH. I then hit direct 8;000 feet + execute on the FMS. This then eliminated all remaining waypoints on arrival. We then went into heading mode until we went back and programmed remaining waypoints. This also made us about 1;000 feet high on a crossing restriction; thus the reason for this report. Contributing factors were the pilot flying's (first officer) lack of experience on the aircraft and with RNAV 'descend Via' arrivals and the VNAV function of the autopilot; However; another contributing factor was ATC kept changing the clearance from descend via to descend and maintain which added to the complexity. Had there remained the original descend via clearance; this would not have resulted in the confusion. Corrective action: flight crew must have better coordination. Asking the lead pilot if input is correct before just hitting buttons on FMS. As a pilot I need continued experience in the aircraft and RNAV SIDS/STARS. Also remaining vigilant that the airplane is doing what we want. Personally; I feel like the RNAV arrivals add complexity to an already critical phase of flight and are a violation waiting to happen for flight crews across the country. Human Factors: Affecting quality of performance was constant change of clearance by ATC which we need to adapt to. Remain sharp as a pilot and be prepared for the various differences in ATC centers across US.

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	1266809
Time
Date	201505
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZDC.ARTCC
State Reference	VA
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Citation Excel (C560XL)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	STAR SPIDR1
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90 Flight Crew Total 3850 Flight Crew Type 160
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Deviation - Procedural Clearance

Ce-560XL first officer reported difficulty dealing with a descend via clearance; in part because of crew errors; but also in part because of multiple ATC clearance changes.