Complying with Airspeed/Altitude restrictions on a STAR

[vtpilotmj]

Alright guys, questions regarding STARS. When must you comply with a CROSS AT AND MAINTAIN ___KTS on a STAR? Is this always manditory if flying an arrival, or only if you are "cleared via/fly the published" STAR. Also, if you loose communications on a STAR, do you follow the EXPECT to cross altitudes??

 

[bigsky]

many stars have " expect" to cross so and so intersection at 11000 or 280 kts. These are for planning and do not apply until assigned. Some stars have actual limits so once assigned that star you would comply.

As per lost comms ( dont have it available) but per the aim I believe you will find it specifically says that expext altitudes do not apply( unless) you were already assigned those by ATC.

 

[vtpilotmj]

Being assigned the star, would that be a "decend via" clearence? or is that something different?

 

[avbug]

Do not descend via a STAR unless specifically cleared to do so. If cleared for a STAR (eg, "XXX, Cleared to XYZ via the Tango Four arrival), you are not cleared for the altitudes published in the STAR.

Only whe given the clearance "descend via the Tango Four arrival," are you assigned to and must comply with published altitudes, when on the published routing segments.

 

[vtpilotmj]

But what about airspeeds? When you are cleared for the arrival, does that mean you must comply with airspeeds (ie: cross XYZ at ___kts?)

 

[airksk]

But what about airspeeds? When you are cleared for the arrival, does that mean you must comply with airspeeds (ie: cross XYZ at ___kts?)

If the airspeed is shown as "expect", fly the airspeed assigned by ATC(or normal speed until otherwise assigned). If, on the other hand, the chart just says "cross xyz at 250kts", then you are expected to comply with the depicted speed. Keep in mind that ATC can override all of them. A great example is DFW, where the speeds on the arrival are mandatory, but approach frequently tells you to ignore them until the last one.

 

[vtpilotmj]

Thanks, for the help! That definetly clears it up.