Yes. Read AIM 8-1-2(c). There should be no pain, however. Airline cabins are
pressurized to about 8000 feet, so when the front office people start the
cabin descending, your ears have to adjust to the changing pressure. GA
pilots regularly fly at altitudes higher than 8000 and get more practice at
equalizing pressure.

Bob Gardner

a wrote in message ...
Is it normal for an airline pilot, or any pilot, to experience
ear-popping,
lower volume, and sometimes ear pain during ascent and descent (but mainly
descent)?