Final answer:
Air traffic controllers must not assign speed adjustments to aircraft at or above 10,000 feet without pilot consent, as aircraft above this altitude have different performance and separation requirements. The given deceleration value illustrates a significant force that pilots might experience during high-altitude ejections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the rules of air traffic control and the speeds at which commercial aircraft are managed, particularly at high altitudes. In aviation, air traffic controllers must not assign speed adjustments to aircraft that are at or above 10,000 feet without pilot consent. This is tied to the fact that above this altitude, the air is thinner, and there are different considerations for aircraft performance and separation standards. Moreover, at higher altitudes, aircraft are often in the cruise phase of flight where they are optimized for fuel efficiency at specific speeds.
The deceleration value of −15 × 10² m/s² provided in the reference represents a physical quantity of acceleration (or in this case, deceleration), which means a change in velocity over time. This example suggests a magnitude of deceleration experienced by pilots ejecting at high altitudes, which is immensely higher compared to typical scenarios.