Hawker 4000
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 5500; Flight Crew Type 210
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
While on descent to DAL on the JFRYE3 arrival prior to GREGS ATC cleared us to 14;000 feet. We asked ATC if he needed the speed of 250 knots at GREGS and he said no and assigned 320 knots. We then switched frequencies and checked in with our speed assigned and ATC then said to comply at GREGS. This is where the mix-up occurred as we descended to comply with published speed and altitude at GREGS 250 knots and 10;000 feet. After talking to ATC on the phone the controller only wanted us to comply with the speed restriction not altitude. We assumed to comply with both speed and altitude as published. We should have asked for clarification and controller should have been more specific with the clearance.
On descent into the DAL on the JFRYE 3 RNAV Arrival and had just passed NUKLZ intersection on our way to GREGS intersection with a clearance of descend and maintain 14;000 feet and 320 knots or greater. We received an ATC handoff on our descent to 14;000 feet. I checked on with the new controller of our altitude; altitude assigned of 14;000 feet and speed assigned. The controller came back and said to 'comply at GREGS'. This is where the problem occurred. We assumed that we are now complying with the restrictions at GREGS intersection of At 250 KTS/At 10;000 feet. It was only after the event that we learned that the controller meant to comply with the speed at GREGS and NOT the Altitude. We assumed the clearance was to comply with the depicted altitude and speed at GREGS intersection. We should have asked for clarity instead of assuming. The controller should have been more specific with the instructions instead of assuming we understood that he meant to comply with the speed only. Assumption on both parties led to this learning experience for both crew and controller. No TCAS TA or RA was encountered with this event.
Hawker 4000 flight crew reported that while descending on a clearance including an altitude and speed; being instructed by the next Controller to comply at GREGS. The crew learned later that the Controller only wanted the speed.