B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 173; Flight Crew Type 173
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Procedure; Airspace Structure
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.
Approximately nine miles southeast of the airport; we were asked if we had the airfield in sight. Upon answering yes; we were given a vector of 360. Shortly after that vector; we were given a new heading of 330 and we were cleared for a visual approach.... Having been cleared for a visual approach; with no additional airspeed instructions (i.e. maintain 170 to a five-mile final); I began slowing the aircraft. Almost immediately; Approach asked us what airspeed we were flying. The Pilot Monitoring (PM) responded 190 knots. Approach told us; in the future; we were to maintain last assigned airspeed until further instructed. I made the assumption that upon clearance for a visual approach; with no further assigned airspeed restrictions; it was my discretion to maneuver and slow the aircraft as necessary to ensure a stable approach.
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.