Arrivals...

[gatorbuc99]

Hey, anyone know what the deal is with the RNAV STARS being, seemingly down for the past 2 weeks or so? They're filing WHINZ1, RMG3, LGC1, and SINCA3 instead of FLCON2, ERLIN4, HONIE4, and CANUK5, respectively. I dunno any dispatchers that'd be able to help me answer the question, and after a flight last week i asked an ASA Skipper what the deal was and he went rambling on/i wasn't paying attention..so i got nothing outta that. Anyone know what's up?

[gatorbuc99]

Ok, now that these are back up, i thought i'd bring this thread back up. It seems now that the aircraft are given "descend via the arrival" instructions, the workload...at least as much as i can tell by the # of transmissions...is lessened. Obviously, the approach controller is still monitoring for seperation, but IMO seems like the workload is lessened.

My question is this: what is it about these revisions that allows the "descend via" instructions to be used, as opposed to be before, when a/c were given vectors from the 40 mile crossing restriction to turning downwind, as well as altitudes and speed? Now these are all flown per the arrival (note, of course, that these restrictions and instructions can be overruled by the approach controller)

[seven]

Previous approach plate instructions were "expect to cross xxx at xxx...etc". The new revision states "cross xxx at xxx". ATC can now clear aircraft to fly the RNAV STAR as published, and monitor the operation.

[gatorbuc99]

Ahh, i see...thank you sir. Is this the prefered method/better/more efficient from your side of the fence, Mr. Seven? I know, only from online atc sites, nothing official, that this procedure is used at Vegas, dunno about any other terminal areas. I imagine this is something that's a step in the right direction, from your perspective?

[seven]

Unfortunately, as a center controller, I can't even use it. My job is to line them up, separate them, and hand them off to approach control at 14,000 or less depending on the airport landing configuration at the time. It does reduce phraseology on the frequency (a good thing), but I can imagine that my brothers and sisters at approach control cross their fingers hoping the pilot/s fly the procedure exactly as published. It appears to be the first step in turning ATC into a monitoring agency...7...

[admin]

hey seven which Area do you work in down at ZTL? do you know Spike?

[seven]

I know Spike. Tattoo across the neck. I used to work with his brother in Area 4 before he retired last year...7...

[gatorbuc99]

Seven, any reason why the "descend via" procedures have been suspended for a while now? That didn't last very long.

[seven]

Originally Posted by gatorbuc99

Seven, any reason why the "descend via" procedures have been suspended for a while now? That didn't last very long.

That's a question for Approach Control...I'll look into it for you...7...

[ATCer]

Part of the reason the procedures were suspended was due to the fact the pilots were having a tough time descending and meeting the speed restrictions.