Pilot Resources
- General
- ICAO: “Descend via STAR <altitude>.”
- ICAO: “Descend unrestricted <altitude>.”
- ICAO: “Descend <altitude>. Cancel level restrictions.”
- ICAO: “Descend via STAR <altitude>. Cancel speed restriction(s).”
- FAA: “Descend via <STAR name>.”
- FAA: “Descend via <STAR name> except maintain <altitude>.”
- FAA: “Descend and maintain <altitude>.”
- FAA: “Descend via <STAR name>. Cancel speed restriction(s).”
For all clearances, fly the lateral published course unless directed otherwise. When vectored off STAR – altitude constraints and speed restrictions associated with bypassed waypoints are canceled. Ensure ATC assigns an altitude.
ICAO does not require pilots or ATC to state the STAR name.
Initial:
“American 123, descend via STAR <altitude>.”
Subsequent:
“American 123, <altitude leaving> for <altitude>, descending via STAR.”
Start descent now and comply with all published altitude restrictions. Stop descent upon reaching ATC assigned altitude.
NOTE: If a pilot discretion descent is allowed, ATC will state, “When ready, descend via STAR <altitude>.”
Comply with all published speed restrictions.
NOTE: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by “Descend via STAR.” – disregard the speed restrictions on the STAR and maintain last assigned speed. Adherence to required airspace speed limits still apply.
Initial:
“American 123, descend unrestricted <altitude>.”
Subsequent:
“American 123, <altitude leaving>, descending <altitude>.”
Not required to comply with published altitude restrictions. Stop descent upon reaching ATC assigned altitude.
Delete all published speed restrictions above the clearance altitude.
NOTE: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by “Descend via STAR.” – disregard the speed restrictions on the STAR and maintain last assigned speed. Adherence to required airspace speed limits still apply.
Initial:
“American 123, descend <altitude>. Cancel level restrictions.”
Subsequent:
“American 123, <altitude leaving>, descending <altitude>.”
Not required to comply with published altitude restrictions. Stop descent upon reaching ATC assigned altitude.
Comply with all published speed restrictions.
NOTE: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by “Descend via STAR.” – disregard the speed restrictions on the STAR and maintain last assigned speed. Adherence to required airspace speed limits still apply.
“American 123, descend via STAR <altitude>. Cancel speed restriction(s).”
Comply with all published altitude restrictions. Stop descent upon reaching ATC assigned altitude.
Not required to comply with published speeds.
NOTE 1: Alternate clearance can be more specific with only canceling speed restrictions for a given waypoint(s). Those waypoint(s) will be included in the clearance.
NOTE 2: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by “Descend via STAR.” – disregard the speed restrictions on the STAR and maintain last assigned speed. Adherence to required airspace speed limits still apply.
Initial:
“American 123, descend via <STAR name>.”
NOTE: Initial approach control radio call to terminal controller: “Phoenix Approach, American 123, 15000, descending via EAGUL6, runway 26 transition, information B.”
Subsequent:
“American 123, <altitude leaving>, descending via <STAR name>.” 3 4
NOTE 1: Add to radio call landing direction or STAR runway transition if assigned.
NOTE 2: Initial approach control radio call to terminal controller: “Phoenix Approach, American 123, 15000, descending via EAGUL6, runway 26 transition, information B.”
Pilot’s discretion descent to comply with all published altitude restrictions down to the lowest published altitude.
Comply with all published speed restrictions.
NOTE: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by a “Descend via <STAR name>.” – comply with the STAR speed restrictions. The previous assigned speed is deleted by the descend via clearance.
Initial:
“American 123, descend via <STAR name> except maintain <altitude>.”
Subsequent:
“American 123, <altitude leaving> for <altitude>, descending via <STAR name>.”
Pilot’s discretion descent to comply with all published altitude restrictions. Stop descent upon reaching ATC assigned altitude.
Comply with all published speed restrictions.
NOTE: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by a “Descend via <STAR name>.” – comply with the STAR speed restrictions. The previous assigned speed is deleted by the descend via clearance.
Initial:
“American 123, descend and maintain <altitude>.”
Subsequent:
“American 123, <altitude leaving> for <altitude>.”
Not required to comply with published altitude restrictions. Stop descent upon reaching ATC assigned altitude.
Comply with all published speed restrictions.
NOTE: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by a “Descend via <STAR name>.” – comply with the STAR speed restrictions. The previous assigned speed is deleted by the descend via clearance.
“American 123, descend via <STAR name> <altitude>. Cancel speed restriction(s).”
Comply with all published altitude restrictions down to the published bottom altitude.
Not required to comply with published speeds.
NOTE 1: Alternate clearance can be more specific with only canceling speed restrictions for a given waypoint(s). Those waypoint(s) will be included in the clearance.
NOTE 2: When an ATC speed restriction is assigned, followed by a “Descend via <STAR name>.” – comply with the STAR speed restrictions. The previous assigned speed is deleted by the descend via clearance.
- General
- ICAO: “Descend via STAR <altitude>.”
- ICAO: “Descend unrestricted <altitude>.”
- ICAO: “Descend <altitude>. Cancel level restrictions.”
- ICAO: “Descend via STAR <altitude>. Cancel speed restriction(s).”
- FAA: “Descend via <STAR name>.”
- FAA: “Descend via <STAR name> except maintain <altitude>.”
- FAA: “Descend and maintain <altitude>.”
- FAA: “Descend via <STAR name>. Cancel speed restriction(s).”