A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
We were flying [to] SJC and filed for the RAZRR3 RNAV Arrival into SJC. Approximately 300 miles from SJC we were given a speed reduction to 260 knots. Sometime later we were given a speed adjustment to 270 knots and then a Mach assigned speed of M.76. Eventually; as we started our descent; we were told to resume 'Normal Speed'.We were handed over to NorCal Approach Control and instructed to 'Descend via the RAZRR3 Arrival/Runway 12 Transition'. We had the arrival loaded and had already briefed and confirmed all the constraints were loaded in our FMS. Because of the numerous speed assignments we had been given leading up to our descent; we wanted to clarify what speed approach control wanted on our arrival. When queried; NorCal Approach responded with; 'Maintain Normal Speed'. Importantly; they did NOT say 'Comply With Speed Restrictions' or 'Resume Published Speed'. As we crossed STUBL intersection; which has a speed restriction of 280 knots; NorCal asked us what our speed was? We answered 320 knots and they responded with 'I guess you missed the speed restriction at STUBL'? We thought we were absolved of this speed restriction based on our previous query and assignment of 'normal speed' on the descent. (See Speed Clearances FAQ taken directly from the FAA site below)At that point we were taken off the arrival to the south and told to maintain 11;000 feet and eventually given clearance 'direct to GOTEE maintain published speed' (280 knots). Adding to the complication; GOTEE has a crossing restriction of At 280 knots / At or below 12;000. Because we were heavy and near max landing weight; we wanted to make all the crossing restrictions at the lowest authorized level. There appears to be somewhat of a 'trap' at GOTEE where you are authorized to cross as low as 9;000 yet the speed restriction is 'At 280 knots'. We asked NorCal if we could cross GOTEE at 9;000 and they approved it; descending through approximately 9;800 we realized that the 280 knots speed restriction was not compatible with the FAR 91.117 speed restriction and slowed to 250 knots.The rest of the arrival was uneventful.I believe the root cause of all this was when we asked for clarification on what speed we wanted on the arrival. If the controller had said anything like 'comply with speed restrictions' or 'maintain published speeds' there would have been NO questions. Additionally; I believe the altitude restrictions at GOTEE should be revised to Between 12;000 feet and 10;000 feet vs. At or below 12;000 feet. If they want a speed of 280 knots at GOTEE; why allow a crossing as low as 9;000 feet?From FAA Site:SPEED CLEARANCES FAQ 1. Q. What does each of the following ATC instructions require? * 'Resume Normal Speed': Cancels ATC issued speed restrictions and instructs pilot to return to normal aircraft speed where no restrictions are published. This does not relieve the pilot of those speed restrictions which are applicable to 14 CFR Section 91.117. * 'Comply With Speed Restrictions': Requires aircraft joining or resuming a procedure to comply with published speed restrictions. * 'Resume Published Speed': Cancels ATC issued speed restrictions. Pilot is expected to comply with speeds published on the SID/STAR. * 'Delete Speed Restrictions': Cancels published speed restrictionsImprecise communications from ATC regarding speed assignment.ATC - better and perhaps more concise clarification of what is wanted. ie. 'Resume Normal Speed' can be ambiguous vs. Resume Published Speeds is clear.Pilot - ANY doubt.....CLARIFY!!! Procedures - Don't build crossing restrictions that have potential for conflict ie. You can cross this intersection as low as 9;000 feet but cross at 280K. That's INCOMPATIBLE!
A300 Captain reported a speed deviation on the RAZRR3 arrival into SJC when there was a misunderstanding with ATC as to their clearance.