STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route)

STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) is a published IFR flight procedure that provides a standardized transition from the en-route airway structure to an instrument approach procedure. STARs simplify clearance delivery, reduce radio congestion, and sequence arriving traffic.

• Includes altitude restrictions, speed constraints, and waypoints
• RNAV STARs are increasingly common, requiring GPS-equipped aircraft
• Often end at an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) where the approach procedure begins
• May include holding patterns for traffic management