Molesworth,
The level at LANAK is not really part of the Approach, it gets you to the terminal holding fix. As with most things in life, the profile is a compromise. In this case the most efficient descent profile is sacrificed so that the ATC capacity can be increased. By crossing LANAK at the FL equivalent of 7000', there is no need for co-ordination between the inbound controller and the outbound controller - they can operate autonomously. Capacity is what the customers (at the corporate level) seem to want. Unfortunately it seems that their philosophy very rarely filters down to the guys at the pointy end
By publishing the expected levels, the aim is in part to allow better fuel planning and in part to give crews the ability to have the altitude restrictions set up in the FMS in advance. Tactically ATC will usually try to improve on those profiles if they can.
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10 West
UK ATC'er
[email protected] ICQ 18043595
[This message has been edited by 10W (edited 16 July 1999).]