Widebody; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Human Factors
[We were] flying LTOWN 6 RNAV arrival into MEM Runway 36R. [I] complied with all altitude and airspeed restrictions during descent. The last airspeed restriction is shown at DASAC at 210 KTS. [We] complied with that airspeed restriction. After passing CLARK and heading south on the arrival started to slow down to 180 KTS anticipating possibly an early turn to 36R due to not seeing any traffic on the TCAS Also going to 36R. Memphis Approach Control called us and asked what our airspeed was. At this time we were at 180 KTS. We were then told to speed up to 210 KTS with which we complied. Remainder of flight [was] uneventful.I guess my big question is on this arrival after the last speed restriction at DASAC is when can we slow down? The way I understand it; if they want us to maintain 210 KTS one or two fixes later on the arrival they need to tell me this. Maybe I should have been more pro-active and asked approach if I could slow down. What would be helpful is if these arrivals stated to maintain the last assigned arrival speed.
An Air Carrier Captain cleared via the LTOWN STAR to MEM reduced his airspeed to 180 KTS in anticipation of an early turn to final for Runway 36R. Approach Control remonstrated him for not complying with the last charted airspeed of 210 KTS at DASAC.