Standard Terminal Arrival Route
Encyclopedia
In aviation
, a standard terminal arrival route or standard terminal arrival (STAR) is a published procedure followed by aircraft on an IFR
flight plan
just before reaching a destination airport
.
A typical STAR consists of a set of starting points, called transitions, and a description of routes (typically via VOR's and intersections) from each of these transitions to a point near a destination airport, upon reaching which the aircraft can join an instrument approach
(IAP) or be vectored
for a final approach by terminal air traffic control
. Not all airports have published STARs; however, most relatively large or not easily accessible (for example, in a mountainous area) airports do. Sometimes several airports in the same area share a single STAR; in such case, aircraft destined for any of the airports in such group follow the same arrival route up until reaching the final waypoint, after which they join approaches for their respective destination airports.
Naming conventions for STARs vary by country and region. In Europe
, they are often named after the transition waypoint, followed by a digit that is incremented with each revision of the procedure, and a letter designating the runway for which the STAR is intended. In the United States
, STARs are named after waypoints, or unique features of the STAR, or geographical features, followed by a digit indicating the STAR revision. A single STAR in the U.S. may serve for multiple runways and transitions; European STARs are more likely to be independently published for each runway and/or transition.
Not all STARs are for IFR flights. Occasionally STARs are published for visual approaches, in which case they specify visible landmarks on the ground and other visual reference points instead of waypoints or radio navigation aids.
STARs can be very detailed (as is often the case in Europe), allowing pilots to go from descent to approach entirely on their own once ATC has cleared them for the arrival, or they can be more general (as is often the case in the United States), providing guidance to the pilot which is then supplemented by instructions from ATC.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
, a standard terminal arrival route or standard terminal arrival (STAR) is a published procedure followed by aircraft on an IFR
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
flight plan
Flight plan
Flight plans are documents filed by pilots or a Flight Dispatcher with the local Civil Aviation Authority prior to departure...
just before reaching a destination airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
.
Description
A STAR usually covers the phase of a flight that lies between the top of descent from cruise or en-route flight and the final approach to a runway for landing.A typical STAR consists of a set of starting points, called transitions, and a description of routes (typically via VOR's and intersections) from each of these transitions to a point near a destination airport, upon reaching which the aircraft can join an instrument approach
Instrument approach
For aircraft operating under instrument flight rules , an instrument approach or instrument approach procedure is a series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing, or to a point...
(IAP) or be vectored
Aircraft vectoring
Aircraft vectoring is the term given to a navigation service provided to aircraft by air traffic control. The controller decides on a particular pattern for the aircraft to fly, composed of specific legs or vectors...
for a final approach by terminal air traffic control
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
. Not all airports have published STARs; however, most relatively large or not easily accessible (for example, in a mountainous area) airports do. Sometimes several airports in the same area share a single STAR; in such case, aircraft destined for any of the airports in such group follow the same arrival route up until reaching the final waypoint, after which they join approaches for their respective destination airports.
Naming conventions for STARs vary by country and region. In Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, they are often named after the transition waypoint, followed by a digit that is incremented with each revision of the procedure, and a letter designating the runway for which the STAR is intended. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, STARs are named after waypoints, or unique features of the STAR, or geographical features, followed by a digit indicating the STAR revision. A single STAR in the U.S. may serve for multiple runways and transitions; European STARs are more likely to be independently published for each runway and/or transition.
Not all STARs are for IFR flights. Occasionally STARs are published for visual approaches, in which case they specify visible landmarks on the ground and other visual reference points instead of waypoints or radio navigation aids.
STARs can be very detailed (as is often the case in Europe), allowing pilots to go from descent to approach entirely on their own once ATC has cleared them for the arrival, or they can be more general (as is often the case in the United States), providing guidance to the pilot which is then supplemented by instructions from ATC.