RNAV STARs and Speed Restrictions...

[Basil]

There is a similar thread over in the Regionals section that may be better addressed here.

In the absence of a "DESCEND VIA THE ABC ONE RNAV ARRIVAL" clearance, must you comply with the published speed restrictions (CROSS XYZ AT 250 KIAS) if not specifically assigned???

Either way, can you cite an official reference source?

Muchas Gracias.

 

[stupidpilot]

It's right in the AIM. I think it's kind of dumb that you are on the DP but aren't expected to comply with the descent, but you are supposed to comply with the speeds. It should be one or the other, comply with both without having to be instructed to, or you are expected to ignore both unless you are told to comply. It's unnecessarily confusing.

 

[Basil]

I can't find a specific reference in the AIM about complying with the published speeds if NOT given the "descend via" clearance. FAA-H-8261-1A Instrument Procedures Handbook, however,does say:

Upon your arrival in the terminal area, ATC either clears you to a specific altitude, or they give you a "descend via" clearance that instructs you to follow the altitudes published on the STAR. You are not authorized to leave your last assigned altitude unless specifically cleared to do so. If ATC amends the altitude or route to one that is different from the published procedure, the rest of the charted descent procedure is canceled. ATC will assign you any further route, altitude, or airspeed clearances, as necessary.

So, as I read that statement, I think that if a fix has a "CROSS AT 12,000 AND 250 KIAS" restriction, and ATC has given you a different altitude, or even cleared you present position direct to that fix, the speed is not mandatory unless re-assigned. That's how I read it, but it still feels strange.

Anyone seen this in any other official references?

 

[paulsalem]

Aim Chapter 5

5-4-1. Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR), Area Navigation (RNAV) STAR, and Flight Management System Procedures (FMSP) for Arrivals ​

a. A STAR is an ATC coded IFR arrival route established for application to arriving IFR aircraft destined for certain airports. RNAV STAR/FMSP procedures for arrivals serve the same purpose but are only used by aircraft equipped with FMS or GPS. The purpose of both is to simplify clearance delivery procedures and facilitate transition between en route and instrument approach procedures.

1.STAR/RNAV STAR/FMSP procedures may have mandatory speeds and/or crossing altitudes published. Other STARs may have planning information depicted to inform pilots what clearances or restrictions to "expect." "Expect" altitudes/speeds are not considered STAR/RNAV STAR/FMSP procedures crossing restrictions unless verbally issued by ATC.

NOTE-
The "expect" altitudes/speeds are published so that pilots may have the information for planning purposes. These altitudes/speeds shall not be used in the event of lost communications unless ATC has specifically advised the pilot to expect these altitudes/speeds as part of a further clearance.
[SIZE=-2]REFERENCE-
14 CFR Section 91.185(c)(2)(iii).[/SIZE]

2. Pilots navigating on STAR/RNAV STAR/FMSP procedures shall maintain last assigned altitude until receiving authorization to descend so as to comply with all published/issued restrictions. This authorization will contain the phraseology "DESCEND VIA."
(a) Clearance to "descend via" authorizes pilots to:
(1) Vertically and laterally navigate on a STAR/RNAV STAR/FMSP.
(2) When cleared to a waypoint depicted on a STAR/RNAV STAR/FMSP, to descend from a previously assigned altitude at pilot's discretion to the altitude depicted for that waypoint, and once established on the depicted arrival, to navigate laterally and vertically to meet all published restrictions.

-------
You must comply with the published speeds.

In my opinion the AIM does a poor job of explaining it. It says there are mandatory speeds and altitudes. Then proceeds to explain the mandatory altitudes are only for descend via. However it never gives an exception for speeds.

Hope that helps.

 

[SneakyJake]

I read all of the posts pertaining to this and the Instrument handbook from back in the day contradicts the new information. This is from Aviation Bulliten 2009-1 in April.

http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/bulletins/media/atb_apr_09.pdf

ALTITUDE AND SPEED CHANGES[FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. Controllers may issue "descend via" clearance and modify waypoint/fix speed, crossing altitude restrictions or final altitude with clearance, if necessary. If an assigned altitude is subsequently modified or restated, any intervening restrictions must also be restated; otherwise, the restrictions no longer apply. Without the use of "descend via" clearance for a procedure containing published altitude restrictions, pilots are required to comply with the last altitude assignment received. However, pilots are always required to comply with published speed restrictions unless modified by air traffic control (ATC). When issuing "descend via" clearance, if previously issued speed restrictions are still required, the restrictions must be restated.
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