Definition
A phrase entered in the remarks section of an IFR flight plan to inform ATC that the pilot does not wish to be issued a Standard Terminal Arrival Route. When 'NO STAR' is filed, ATC will assign individual route segments and altitudes for the arrival rather than a published procedure.
Plain English
A note pilots add to their flight plan that tells controllers, 'Please do not give me a published arrival procedure into the destination airport.' Controllers will then guide the flight in using individual instructions instead.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flight planning and arrival planning when a destination airport has published Standard Terminal Arrival Routes.
Why Pilots Care
Affects arrival planning, fuel calculations, and coordination with ATC for an alternate descent path.
Intuition Check
No STAR does not mean “no arrival instructions.” It means the pilot is requesting not to use a published Standard Terminal Arrival Route.
Example Sentence 1
Because the pilot wasn't familiar with the published arrivals into the busy airport, she added 'NO STAR' to the remarks section of her IFR flight plan.
Example Sentence 2
ATC cleared the aircraft direct to the airport with No STAR available due to traffic flow.