Standard Terminal Arrival Route

In aviation, Standard Terminal Arrival Routes are (also STAR ) fixed routes that can take off an aircraft with IFR flight plan to reach the destination aerodrome. STARs start at so-called Transitions, waypoints on an air street, where transferred from the cruise, and are usually named after them. The end of the STAR is the transfer point to the Initial Approach ( Initial Approach Fix, IAF). Here is mostly a holding pattern to the incoming traffic to be able to buffer if necessary. From there, the initial approach leads to the IF ( Intermediate Fix) from which the Intermediate Approach begins and finally to the FAF ( Final Approach Fix) or FAP ( Final Approach Point - at an ILS approach ), where the final approach begins, the ends with the landing at the destination aerodrome. Standard Terminal Arrival Routes are planned and published by the air traffic control of the country; they are approved in Germany by the Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services (BAF ) by Implementing Regulation ( DVO ). Its counterpart, the Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs ).

Defines the approach routes are ( VOR, DME, NDB ) by waypoints and radio aids. In addition, minimum flight altitudes are reported, which ensure a safe crossing of obstacles. When planning STARs significant flow noise and safety aspects. So should (also depending on the time ) the overflight of towns or particularly sensitive plants (chemical plants, nuclear power plants) are avoided. Depending on traffic conditions, flight schedules and aircraft types in some cases several alternative flight corridors are possible.

In Europe STARs are so well defined that an airplane can fly almost independently to the IAF by air traffic control clearance, thereby simplifying approval procedures. By using STARs the separation of aircraft for air traffic control is much easier. But you must constantly monitor lying on a STAR queues and ensure that the minimum distances of the aircraft complied with and the instructions provided are followed.