315 Mastering Arrival Procedures: Common Issues and Best Practices for Instrument Pilots + GA News

Host Max Trescott delves into arrival procedures for instrument pilots, focusing on common issues and best practices. The host begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding and properly executing arrival procedures, which are often overlooked, especially for pilots not regularly flying into larger airports.

Arrival procedures, also known as Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs), facilitate the transition from enroute structure to the terminal area, streamlining air traffic flow and reducing congestion. These procedures guide pilots to specific fixes or navigational aids, ensuring a seamless lateral and vertical transition. While some STARs are requested via flight plans, controllers may assign them as needed.

The episode provides a detailed analysis of the Fernando 7 arrival at Van Nuys Airport, highlighting its unique characteristics and naming conventions. It explains how STARs typically consist of multiple parts, including branches, common waypoints, and splits leading to different runways. Understanding these components is crucial for pilots to navigate the arrival effectively.

Max also offers practical tips for pilots, such as properly loading arrival procedures into flight management systems (FMS), checking for discontinuities in flight plans, and adhering to published speed and altitude restrictions. It addresses common challenges, such as handling last-minute runway changes, interpreting ATC clearances, and ensuring accurate navigation between transitions and approaches.

He also emphasizes the importance of thorough pre-flight preparation, including studying STAR charts and anticipating potential deviations from assigned procedures. Pilots are reminded to communicate effectively with ATC regarding their capabilities and intentions, especially when unable to meet published restrictions.

Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and guidance for instrument pilots, helping them navigate arrival procedures with confidence and precision while minimizing errors and deviations.

If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, the Cash app, Zelle or Patreon.

Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $899Lightspeed Sierra Headset $699 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu

Send us your feedback or comments via email

If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.

News Stories

• Bombardier Challenger 604 crash on I-75 in Naples, FL
• Citabria stolen from Palo Alto lands on beach
• Garmin Drops 430/530 Nav/Com Repair Service
• Plane Door Falls Off Over New York
• Jet goes goes off the runway at Bentonville, AR
• Piper Archer hits fence and damages landing gear
• Six Killed In California in an EC 130 Helicopter Crash
• Robinson Helicopter unhappy with the FAA's proposed MOSAIC rules
• Nonstop around the world in a hydrogen-powered aircraft
• Pilot continues even with engine issues
• Firefighters accidentally dump something unexpected on community

Mentioned on the Show Update: Hawker Jet Stalled at FL200 near Grand Junction, CO 213 Why You Should Join a Type Club – Interview Catherine Cavagnaro

Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk

So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification

Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we'll make a couple of dollars if you do.

Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.

Check out Max's Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/

Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium

"Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.