Narrative:

On the maier RNAV arrival into phx at the 8000 ft MSL; but not on a 'descend via' clearance just past edona intersection. ATC asked us to say speed my captain said '250 KIAS.' ATC replied that we had just missed a 210 KIAS speed restriction. My captain said that we were not on a descend via clearance and thought the speeds were tied to that clearance and the altitudes. The controller said that was not the case. I feel the FAA needs to provide guidance to this topic. Many pilots often debate these arrivals and what exactly ATC expects of us. I know several people who have friends in ATC and they say there is disagreements in their ranks as well. The last far/aim definition I read was not clear on this topic.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier inbound to PHX on the MAIER RNAV arrival failed to adhere to published speed restrictions; ATC phraseology uncertainty listed as causal factor.

Narrative: On the MAIER RNAV Arrival into PHX at the 8000 FT MSL; but not on a 'descend via' clearance just past EDONA Intersection. ATC asked us to say speed my Captain said '250 KIAS.' ATC replied that we had just missed a 210 KIAS speed restriction. My Captain said that we were not on a descend via clearance and thought the speeds were tied to that clearance and the altitudes. The Controller said that was not the case. I feel the FAA needs to provide guidance to this topic. Many pilots often debate these arrivals and what exactly ATC expects of us. I know several people who have friends in ATC and they say there is disagreements in their ranks as well. The last FAR/AIM definition I read was not clear on this topic.

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.