Narrative:

We were vectored around the RNAV arrival. While on downwind on the arrival we were assigned 2 speed restrictions. The last one was for 190 knots. We were turned onto base. We were then turned to intercept the localizer. We maintained 190 knots until given our approach clearance which did not include a speed restriction. According to jo 7110.65W section 7 speed adjustment 5-7-1c which states; 'at the time approach clearance is issued; previously issued speed adjustments must be restated if required.' aim 4-4-12 g says;' approach clearances supersede any prior speed adjustment assignments; and pilots are expected to make their own speed adjustments as necessary to complete the approach. However; under certain circumstances; it may be necessary for ATC to issue further speed adjustments after approach clearance is issued to maintain separation between successive arrivals. Under such circumstances; previously issued speed adjustments will be restated if that speed is to be maintained or additional speed adjustments are requested. Speed adjustments should not be assigned inside the final approach fix on final or a point 5 miles from the runway; whichever is closer to the runway.'since we were not assigned a speed restriction with the approach clearance; we began to slow as we felt was appropriate and safe for the conditions. The monitor controller asked us a few miles from the final approach fix 'what is your speed?' we stated that it was 145 (approximately) and slowing. He then said; 'we can't have you going that slow there. You have to keep your speed up.' the first officer; with my direction; told him we were not assigned a speed restriction with our approach clearance. There was a pause and then the controller came back and said; 'I asked the other guy and he said he assigned you 190.' we said that we were not assigned speed on approach clearance and did not read it back with a speed restriction. My concern here is that the controllers in atlanta think that the speed restriction they give us on downwind assumes that we will maintain that speed until the final approach fix. If we missed the controller; who gave us the clearance for an approach speed restriction; stating a speed restriction; we would hope he would restate the speed restriction. We then sped back up until the final approach fix. Considering the weather conditions and shooting a prm approach with close in traffic; it would seem that keeping speed up is counterintuitive to safety.I believe this is non-compliance by the air traffic controller in the atlanta ATC. The atlanta controller need to be aware of the fact that the speed restriction needs to be restated with the approach clearance.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Flight crew reported a concern when the Controller asked them why they slowed down. The reporters noted the regulation that ATC speed assignments must be restated with an approach clearance.

Narrative: We were vectored around the RNAV arrival. While on downwind on the arrival we were assigned 2 speed restrictions. The last one was for 190 knots. We were turned onto base. We were then turned to intercept the localizer. We maintained 190 knots until given our approach clearance which did not include a speed restriction. According to JO 7110.65W Section 7 Speed Adjustment 5-7-1c which states; 'At the time approach clearance is issued; previously issued speed adjustments must be restated if required.' AIM 4-4-12 g says;' Approach clearances supersede any prior speed adjustment assignments; and pilots are expected to make their own speed adjustments as necessary to complete the approach. However; under certain circumstances; it may be necessary for ATC to issue further speed adjustments after approach clearance is issued to maintain separation between successive arrivals. Under such circumstances; previously issued speed adjustments will be restated if that speed is to be maintained or additional speed adjustments are requested. Speed adjustments should not be assigned inside the final approach fix on final or a point 5 miles from the runway; whichever is closer to the runway.'Since we were not assigned a speed restriction with the approach clearance; we began to slow as we felt was appropriate and safe for the conditions. The Monitor controller asked us a few miles from the final approach fix 'what is your speed?' We stated that it was 145 (approximately) and slowing. He then said; 'We can't have you going that slow there. You have to keep your speed up.' The first officer; with my direction; told him we were not assigned a speed restriction with our approach clearance. There was a pause and then the controller came back and said; 'I asked the other guy and he said he assigned you 190.' We said that we were not assigned speed on approach clearance and did not read it back with a speed restriction. My concern here is that the controllers in Atlanta think that the speed restriction they give us on downwind assumes that we will maintain that speed until the final approach fix. If we missed the controller; who gave us the clearance for an approach speed restriction; stating a speed restriction; we would hope he would restate the speed restriction. We then sped back up until the final approach fix. Considering the weather conditions and shooting a PRM approach with close in traffic; it would seem that keeping speed up is counterintuitive to safety.I believe this is non-compliance by the Air traffic controller in the Atlanta ATC. The Atlanta controller need to be aware of the fact that the speed restriction needs to be restated with the approach clearance.

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.