Narrative:

Aircraft X inbound to ord on the wynde STAR checked on at FL240. At the appropriate time; aircraft X was issued descent to FL200 and 280 KTS. I believe the pilot read back both clearances; but my d-side was unable to confirm this as he was receiving a relief briefing at that time and missed the read back. I noticed a large overtake from the aircraft behind and issued a speed reduction to 250 KTS followed by a turn to insure separation. Aircraft never came within seven miles laterally. I then issued a descent clearance to aircraft X and inquired as to his speed. The pilot of aircraft X replied he was doing 250 KTS. I reiterated the speed restriction of 280 KTS and he replied 'unable we are speed restricted to 250 KTS. I noted it was not in the flight plan or remarks; although on further investigation he had in fact filed for a slower then normal true airspeed. The supervisor was alerted to the unusual situation. I fully believe the pilot felt that since he filed for a slower then normal true airspeed he was covered; but this speed has little to do with normal operational procedures. We expect the aircraft to perform within certain normal parameters. If pilots are going to be flying outside them for any reason they should make extra special care to make sure ATC is aware. Remarks in the flight plan would be the minimum. As of this writing I have not listened to the tape; so I cannot say with certainty that the pilot did or did not read back the speed. This would have been a moot point if the pilot was required to put in the remarks the very important information that he was operationally restricted to something out of the norm for this aircraft. My recommendation would be a requirement by the pilot to include in the remarks any restrictions outside the normal flight envelope so that they will be immediately available to ATC.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ORD arrival traffic was issued a speed restriction but failed to comply. The pilot noted the aircraft was operationally restricted and the flight plan was filed accordingly.

Narrative: Aircraft X inbound to ORD on the WYNDE STAR checked on at FL240. At the appropriate time; Aircraft X was issued descent to FL200 and 280 KTS. I believe the pilot read back both clearances; but my D-Side was unable to confirm this as he was receiving a relief briefing at that time and missed the read back. I noticed a large overtake from the aircraft behind and issued a speed reduction to 250 KTS followed by a turn to insure separation. Aircraft never came within seven miles laterally. I then issued a descent clearance to Aircraft X and inquired as to his speed. The pilot of Aircraft X replied he was doing 250 KTS. I reiterated the speed restriction of 280 KTS and he replied 'unable we are speed restricted to 250 KTS. I noted it was not in the flight plan or remarks; although on further investigation he had in fact filed for a slower then normal true airspeed. The supervisor was alerted to the unusual situation. I fully believe the pilot felt that since he filed for a slower then normal true airspeed he was covered; but this speed has little to do with normal operational procedures. We expect the aircraft to perform within certain normal parameters. If pilots are going to be flying outside them for any reason they should make extra special care to make sure ATC is aware. Remarks in the flight plan would be the minimum. As of this writing I have not listened to the tape; so I cannot say with certainty that the pilot did or did not read back the speed. This would have been a moot point if the pilot was required to put in the remarks the very important information that he was operationally restricted to something out of the norm for this aircraft. My recommendation would be a requirement by the pilot to include in the remarks any restrictions outside the normal flight envelope so that they will be immediately available to ATC.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.