Definition
A published IFR arrival procedure that provides a pre-planned route from the en route structure to a fix from which an instrument approach can begin. A STAR sets out the navigation path, altitudes, and speeds to be flown as the aircraft transitions from cruise into the terminal area of the destination airport.
Plain English
A printed arrival route that tells you exactly how to fly from the end of your en route portion down toward the airport, including which fixes to cross, what altitudes to be at, and what speeds to fly.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter STARs during instrument flight planning, in an air traffic control clearance, and while preparing for descent into a destination airport.
Derivation
The name describes the function: a 'standard' (published, repeatable) route into the 'terminal' area (the airspace surrounding the destination airport) used on 'arrival.' Calling it standard means every pilot and controller is working from the same printed procedure, which keeps arrivals orderly and predictable.
Why Pilots Care
Following the assigned STAR keeps the aircraft at the right altitudes and speeds, reduces radio calls, and prevents traffic conflicts.
Intuition Check
Do not read “terminal” as the airport passenger building here. In this term, it means the airspace around the airport where arriving aircraft are being organized.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the destination, the crew was cleared to descend via the BRDGE THREE arrival, a STAR that took them from cruise altitude down to the initial approach fix.
Example Sentence 2
We reviewed the altitude and speed restrictions on the STAR during descent planning.