Does a STAR always lead you to your first point on the approach?

[meatlover]

I have found that this isn't always the case.
Sometimes the STAR will guide you to a point that is your IAF, and this will be the same point where you start your approach basically.
Other times this is not the case, and the STAR basically brings you in a point, and the ATC will gie you vectors.
What happens though when ATC can't give you vectors(radar is down) and the STAR doesn't exactly lead you to your approach?

Thanks guys.

[jamesleaman]

Meatlover,

Despite this situation going to be exceptionally rare, I'd expect that you'd either be diverted to a close-by airfield where radar is available/STAR leads you to intercepting DME, fly an NDB approach, or assuming airspace is clear, visibility is acceptable, use your ND and perform a visual.

I haven't completed my training to ATPL yet, but that's my guess.

Regards

[paulsalem]

In most cases STARs do not drop you off at an IAF.

If ATC cannot vector you (and you do not have RNAV) they could clear you direct to a VOR or NDB that will be the IAF or a transition to the IAF.

They could also have you track a radial to an intersection where the approach begins.

[B737900er]

My home base has a STAR that leads to a point where your expected radar vectors. If ATC said the radar is down, I would expect them to say direct to the VOR/ NDB for a procedural approach.

If I'm VMC then I would just go visual! If you diverted to another airport you will be in the base captains office for a few words. Remember the instrument airports we fly to are catered for GPS/non GPS aircraft so basic B-RNAV will be available

[Globally Challenged]

I can think of a particular common airfield for BizJets that have this - LFPB (Paris Le Bourget) and the STARs all have lost comms procedures to give guidance in the event of no vectors.

[Private jet]

The STAR can end at a IAF but not always because that STAR will probably be used for feeding arrivals to several different airports & runways. Often from the last point on its either radar vectors or a direct to clearance to start your approach. Sometimes you can get "picked off" before the end of the STAR, it all depends on the circumstances

[PENKO]

As others have stated,you can have open ended STARS which will lead to further vectors. LKPR springs to mind, as wel as LFPG.

[Northbeach]

Always and never are clues.

Does a STAR always lead you to your first point on the approach?

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that whenever an aviation related question has either one of the two following words; always never, then the answer is usually false. It looks like you came to the same conclusion to your own question.

I have found that this isn't always the case.

What happens though when ATC can't give you vectors (radar is down) and the STAR doesn't exactly lead you to your approach?

As long as you are not dealing with a simultaneous two-way radio communications failure then ATC will tell you what they want you to do. We routinely fly RNAV arrivals that transition to RNP RNAV approaches into airports in mountainous terrain without radar coverage. ATC will issue one jet a holding clearance outside of the protected airspace while another jet is flying the approach.

If the radar is out then you will not likely be placed on such a STAR that takes you to a place where you are unable to transition to an approach. If you do happen to be on such a STAR then you should have an EFC (expect approach clearance) or at least an idea of what the plan is.

Either way, when you get to the clearance limit something is going to happen as we cannot pull over to the side of the road and stop. If ATC is unable to vector you then they must do something with you; further routing, holding or a new clearance.

Yours is an interesting question. If you are not satisfied with the responces here there is good ATC section here on PPRuNe with lots of great controller experience.

Respectfully,

Northbeach