This document will explain the standard arrivals charts named STAR charts. These charts are used when performing an IFR arrival to the considered airfield. This document will show you some commented examples.
Be aware that each country has its own chart presentation. You need to catch your information using a quick analysis of the chart.
The head of document will tell you the type of chart, the name and ICAO code of the applicable airfield.
In the centre of the chart, there is the real STAR route to follow.
The route to follow is depicted with black bold arrows starting from runway threshold to the first en-route point. A chart can contain one or several routes. The pilot has to select the right one to perform its flight. The STAR depicted is named and the runway is written (on some charts, the runway is found only on the document head).
Definition | Representation Altitude | Representation Flight Level |
---|---|---|
Altitude window | ߺߺߺߺߺߺߺ 17000 10000 ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ |
ߺߺߺߺߺߺߺ FL220 FL100 ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ |
At or Above altitude | 5000 ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ |
FL70 ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ |
At or Below altitude | ߺߺߺߺߺߺߺ 5000 |
ߺߺߺߺߺߺߺ FL200 |
Mandatory Altitude | ߺߺߺߺߺߺߺ 3000 ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ |
ߺߺߺߺߺߺߺ FL140 ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ |
Recommended procedure altitude | 4000 | FL90 |
Expected altitude | Expect 6000 | Expect FL80 |
Hereunder, you can see the extract of the STAR chart of LJLJ airport.
The air controlling unit has given to the pilot the AKELU2M arrival.
We show you the elements to take into account:
Note: GTQ VOR is not depicted on this chart
Pay attention that the descent during the STAR requires ATC clearance where the flight is controlled.
A holding at the IAF is mandatory for any pilot who has not received an approach clearance or any clearance to continue after the IAF.