Definition
Specific altitudes a pilot is required to be at, at or above, or at or below when passing over a designated fix or waypoint along a route, arrival, or approach procedure. Crossing altitudes are published on charts at the relevant fix and are part of the procedure's vertical path requirements.
Plain English
The altitude you must be at when you fly over a particular point on the chart. Sometimes you have to be exactly at that altitude, sometimes at or above it, and sometimes at or below it.
Context Anchor
Seen on RNAV STAR charts, STAR transitions, and air traffic control descent instructions.
Why Pilots Care
Meeting these altitudes ensures proper traffic separation, terrain clearance, and compliance with ATC instructions.
Grounding Statement
As you follow the arrival route, each listed point can have an altitude requirement you must plan ahead to meet.
Intuition Check
Do not read crossing altitudes as a general altitude for an area. They apply when the aircraft crosses specific named points on the route.
Example Sentence 1
The STAR required us to cross BRUNO at or above 11,000 feet, so I started the descent earlier to make the crossing altitude.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot adjusted descent rate to meet the crossing altitude at the next fix.