Definition
An ATC instruction or published requirement to cross a specified fix at, at or above, at or below, or between specified altitudes, and sometimes at a specified speed. Crossing restrictions appear on Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) charts, instrument approach procedures, and en route charts, and may also be issued verbally by a controller during descent.
Plain English
A rule that tells you exactly what altitude (and sometimes speed) you must be at when you reach a particular point along your route.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument descents, especially on arrivals, approaches, and controller-issued descent clearances.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains safe terrain clearance, traffic separation, and compliance with published routes during instrument flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “crossing restriction” as just a place where routes cross. In this context, it means a required limit you must meet as you pass a named point.
Example Sentence 1
ATC issued the clearance 'descend via the KAYLN ONE arrival,' which included a crossing restriction to be at or above 11,000 feet at BRAVO intersection.
Example Sentence 2
ATC cleared us with a crossing restriction to be at 8000 feet over the VOR.