Cessna 172N Arrivals & STARs — Instrument Rating Oral Questions

DPE oral questions · arrivals & stars

5 questions a DPE may ask in this section

1. Question 1 · IR.VI.A.K1

   What are STARs (Standard Terminal Arrival Routes)? When must a pilot accept a STAR?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • STARs are pre-planned ATC arrival routes from the enroute structure to the initial approach fix or terminal area
   • They reduce controller workload and simplify arrival clearances
   • Part 91 pilots may request 'NO STARs' in the remarks section of their flight plan
   • If ATC assigns a STAR and the pilot accepts it, they must fly it as published (or as amended by ATC)
   • STARs may include altitude and speed restrictions that are mandatory unless ATC says otherwise

   Common wrong answers

   • Thinking STARs are mandatory for all IFR flights
   • Not knowing 'NO STARS' in remarks can prevent automatic assignment
   • Confusing STAR with SID

   SourceAIM 5-4-1; PilotsCafe IFR Quick-Review p.9

2. Question 2 · IR.VI.A.K1

   What is a VDP (Visual Descent Point) and how do you calculate it?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • VDP = Visual Descent Point; the point on a non-precision approach from which a normal descent from MDA can be made to land
   • Formula: MDH (MDA height above TDZE) ÷ 300 = distance in NM from the runway threshold
   • Example: MDA = 600 feet, TDZE = 100 feet → MDH = 500 feet → 500 ÷ 300 = 1.67 NM from threshold
   • If the VDP is published on the plate, use the published value
   • Do not descend from MDA before reaching the VDP — doing so results in a too-steep final descent

   Common wrong answers

   • Using MDA above MSL instead of MDH (height above TDZE) in the formula
   • Dividing by 300 feet per NM when MDA is already an MSL value
   • Descending before reaching the VDP

   SourceAIM 5-4-5; FAA-H-8083-16B (IFH) Chapter 10; PilotsCafe IFR Quick-Review p.19

3. Question 3 · IR.V.C.K1

   What is a STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) and how does it simplify IFR operations?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • STAR = Standard Terminal Arrival Route: a pre-planned ATC-designed routing from the en-route environment to the IAF (Initial Approach Fix) or the approach transition
   • Purpose: simplifies clearances (ATC says 'cleared via [STAR] arrival' instead of detailed routing), reduces workload for both pilots and controllers
   • Published in the TPP (Terminal Procedures Publication)
   • Contain altitude and speed restrictions that may or may not be part of your clearance depending on whether 'descend via' is issued
   • Flying a STAR without 'descend via': altitude and speed restrictions are ADVISORY unless explicitly assigned by ATC
   • Flying a STAR with 'descend via': altitude and speed restrictions are MANDATORY — treat as clearance
   • May be rejected by pilot: file 'NO STARS' in remarks if you do not want a STAR assigned

   Common wrong answers

   • Thinking STAR altitude restrictions are always mandatory
   • Not knowing 'descend via' changes the status of restrictions
   • Confusing STAR with SID (SID = departure; STAR = arrival)

   SourceAIM 5-4-1; AIM 5-4-2

4. Question 4 · IR.V.C.K1

   ATC clears you: 'N12345, proceed direct KSTL via the RAZRR3 arrival.' The RAZRR3 STAR has an altitude restriction of 'cross HONNE at or below 9,000.' Are you required to cross HONNE at or below 9,000?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • The clearance does NOT include 'descend via' — it says only 'via the RAZRR3 arrival'
   • Without 'descend via': altitude restrictions on the STAR are ADVISORY — NOT mandatory
   • You fly the STAR's lateral routing (the route), but altitude is your last assigned altitude until ATC gives you a lower one
   • The HONNE crossing restriction at 9,000 is advisory — you can cruise at your assigned altitude above 9,000 through HONNE
   • This is a classic 'gotcha' from Reddit DPE threads: pilots assume all STAR restrictions are mandatory
   • If ATC said 'descend via the RAZRR3 arrival' — THEN cross HONNE at 9,000 would be mandatory

   How a DPE follows up

   • If you saySays yes, they must cross at or below 9,000

     DPE follow-upWhat specific ATC instruction makes STAR altitude restrictions mandatory?

     What it testsKnows 'descend via' is the key phrase that activates all restrictions

   • If you saySays no, only 'descend via' makes restrictions mandatory

     DPE follow-upCorrect. What altitude do you fly through HONNE?

     What it testsYour last ATC-assigned altitude until given a lower restriction or 'descend via'

   SourceAIM 5-4-1; AIM 5-4-2

5. Question 5 · IR.V.C.K1

   An approach chart shows an IAF with a DME arc to the FAF. You are cleared for the approach. ATC has not given you vectors. How do you fly the DME arc?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Lead radial: the arc is flown by maintaining a constant DME distance from the station
   • Technique: fly perpendicular to the VOR radials, making small turns (5-10°) every 0.5-1 NM to keep the DME distance constant
   • A lead radial is published on the chart — a specific radial before the FAF where you leave the arc and turn inbound
   • Fly the arc until crossing the lead radial: at the lead radial, turn inbound to the approach course
   • Arc entry: fly to the IAF, then turn to fly the arc — the turn direction depends on whether the IAF is on the high or low side of the arc
   • No procedure turn required when arriving via a DME arc (the arc IS the procedure turn substitute)
   • CDI sensitivity on the arc: for VOR-based arc, CDI shows radial you are currently crossing

   Common wrong answers

   • Not knowing to use a lead radial before the FAF
   • Not knowing how to maintain DME distance (making turns, not flying a straight line)
   • Thinking a procedure turn is still required when cleared via a DME arc

   SourceAIM 5-4-9; FAA-H-8083-16B (IPH) Chapter 10