Standard Terminal Arrival Route
In aviation, Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (also STAR ) are defined routes that an aircraft with an IFR flight plan can fly to reach the destination airport . STARs begin at so-called transitions , waypoints on an airway , where the cruise is passed, and are usually named after these. The end of the STAR is the transfer point to the Initial Approach ( Initial Approach Fix , IAF ). There is usually a waiting loop here so that the incoming traffic can be buffered 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 to the FAP (Final Approach Point - for an ILS approach), where the final approach begins ends with the landing at the destination airport. Standard Terminal Arrival Routes are planned and published by the country's air traffic control ; In Germany, they are approved by the Federal Air Traffic Control Authority (BAF) by means of an implementation ordinance (DVO). Their counterparts are the Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs).
The approach routes are defined by waypoints and radio navigation aids ( VORs , DMEs , NDBs ). In addition, minimum flight altitudes are shown, which guarantee safe crossing of obstacles. When planning STARs, noise and safety aspects are taken into account. In this way (also depending on the time) flying over towns or particularly sensitive plants (chemical plants, nuclear power plants) should be avoided. Depending on the traffic situation, flight plans and aircraft types, several alternative flight corridors are sometimes possible.
In Europe, STARs are so precisely defined that an aircraft can fly almost independently to the IAF once it has been approved by air traffic control, which simplifies approval procedures. The use of STARs makes staggering the aircraft for air traffic control much easier. However, it must permanently monitor the holding patterns on a STAR and ensure that the minimum distances between the aircraft are observed and the instructions given are followed.