Was flying LEBL-EGBB today and was attempting to plan my STAR into RWY33 however, they look very strange
I was flying a PSS A320 for MYL and as I'm sure you know you can use the plan mode coupled with the MCDU to verify a logical STAR into the approach. I printed of the 'STARs via GROVE' from the NATS site to read in conjuntion with the MCDU plan and, they both tied in.
My query is after leaving HON for EBONY and then EBONY for GROVE this places you virtually 5 miles down the final approach path (and practically next to it) so, you then have to fly back on yourself to capture the LOC at a distance of 10 NM's DME from the thresh hold to set up for an ILS landing.
Is this right or are pilots normally vectored from the HON VOR into the airport for LOC capture and are EBONY/GROVE only really used for holding purposesduring busy periods?
Cheers.
Mark.
Edit: in fact after checking, the HON VOR places you 5 NM's down the approach path too!?