Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface
Other Unwanted Situation
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Procedure; Chart Or Publication
There was no event. However; this is a safety observation. First of all; the reason there was no deviation was because of an attentive flight crew; especially; the First Officer. My concern has to do with the KIDDZ1 arrival into Houston. With a descend via clearance you are expected to pass KIDDZ Intersection between 12;000 FT and 14;000 FT at 280 KTS. Then cross the next fix at 12;000 FT and 270 KTS. The distance between KIDDZ and the next fix is 4.4 NM. Now; I haven't done the math; but if you cross at the top limit of 14;000 FT over KIDDZ; would you be able to cross the next fix at 12;000 FT? I programmed the FMS to do just that; and was amazed that the FMS showed a 26 degree glidepath to descend 2;000 FT in 4.4 NM. Why was this arrival designed this way? This could cause a deviation if it hasn't already done so.Make KIDDZ crossing at 12;000 and delete the next fix crossing at 12;000. Simplify the arrival in general.
A CRJ-700 Captain advised that the top altitude; 14;000; of the crossing window at KIDDZ on the KIDDZ RNAV STAR to HOU makes it questionable that an aircraft could comply with the 'at 12;000' crossing at SNIFY just 4.4 NM past KIDDZ.