Flying into Sharjah
In the last week or so, late afternoon arrival into Sharjah from the East have become interesting to say the least.
Firstly, the ATIS continues to mention ILS 30, so you prepare/brief for an ILS approach. UAE control then regulates your descent with ELELA 2X arrival in mind.
It is only when you change to Dubai Approach that things get interesting. Not only are you told that RNAV or Visual approaches are being accepted but are then given a shortcut to position ULERA.
So now you have to change the arrival in the FMS as well as figure a way to lose altitude as you are way above the profile.(Btw, RNAV approach is supposed to be a stabilized approach; Vapp at FAF)
My humble suggestion is that an early descent be given if the traffic is light and a shortcut is being planned.
Btw is it only me, or others have also experienced the same??