Descent on a STAR UK vs ICAO

[Venkman]

Hello!

I'm just after some clarification on descent clearances issued on STAR's in the UK and ICAO operations.

In the UK, as I understand, when an aircraft is cleared for a STAR, this is just the lateral navigation (waypoint to waypoint) as descent is always commanded by ATC, stated FL/Alt restrictions are for planning only.

Are ICAO rules different and vary by state?

In some states would a controller expect the aircraft to descend in accordance with the published STAR, despite no actual descent clearance being issued?

Does anyone have a document to confirm these rules?

Many Thanks

[binzer]

"UK AIC yellow Y023/2010 issued 20 May 2010 is still valid.....para 3.2 answers your question".

Not sure if still valid


Try this,,, I asked the same sort of question a while ago and got the above answer which answers it. I carry out the same technique in the rest of euro land

[DaveReidUK]

Not sure if still valid

Yes, it is.

[binzer]

Cheers Dave, ( put that caveat in just incase someone said " that's not valid anymore" )

[Venkman]

Thank you!

That confirms the fact regarding the UK.

However, I'm still confused about ICAO guidelines. I've read various parts of Doc 4444, which is also stated in the AIC mentioned above, but my real question relates to the initial response from ATC, when clearing an aircraft for a STAR.

In the initial clearance for a STAR, if ATC do not give any further clearances, should an aircraft descend completely in accordance with the STAR as documented in the Jepp/Aerad? The documents I have read only seem to talk about descent below any level or altitude stated on the STAR procedure?

Thanks again

[Wham Bam]

If you look at the UK STAR charts, they all have written on them:
DESCENT PLANNING

Pilots should plan for possible descent
clearance as detailed in the table below.

ACTUAL DESCENT CLEARANCE WILL
BE AS DIRECTED BY ATC.
Check the other charts for other countries and see what they say on them.

[riteortbit]

To quote from ICAO D4444 Chap 6-5
6.5.2.4 DESCENT BELOW LEVELS SPECIFIED IN A STAR

Note.— See also 11.4.2.6.2.5.

When an arriving aircraft on a STAR is cleared to descend to a level lower than the level or the level(s) specified in a STAR, the aircraft shall follow the published vertical profile of a STAR, unless such restrictions are explicitly cancelled by ATC. Published minimum levels based on terrain clearance shall always be applied.