I do descents in the Vision Jet IRL using VNAV. Either the arrival adds downpath altitude constraints, or I add an altitude constraint over the field to create a TOD. VNAV plots a 2.8° descent, which works out to about 2000–2500 fpm with the throttle midrange.
If for whatever reason I am not descending with VNAV, I descend in VS. About 1500–2000 fpm at higher altitudes, and 1000 fpm in the terminal area.
For pattern work, do your downwinds at flaps 50, raising and lowering the gear + flaps 100 each time you land. Landing at flaps 50 is fine but it uses a ton more runway (at least IRL), not good if you need to make a full stop and you weren’t planning on a long rollout.