choosing the right STAR for landing

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

Hey again

another NOOB question, i want to thank cowpat for showing me vroute, very good resourse but i still have anothe issue with choosing a STAR for a certin runway, im not to sure on how to read the maps so i need some advice, i have made a flight from NZAA-NZCH andmy flight plan looks like this....AA H384 NP H252 NS V288 YW H309 CH, so all good and dandy but how do i know which STAR to choose? its driving me bonkers, i end up just randomly choosing a runway and hope a star connects with it, and when i do get it right i get taken right over the pacific and then back again when really this is totally unrealistic! PLEASE HELP!!!!

Im sure there is someone out there who knows there stuff!!!

thanks for putting up with me guys

FunkymonkeyNZ

[Kelburn]

I experiment on my FMC (if that is what you are using) and see what it looks like on the EFIS and decide which one I should use.
Study the aip charts carefully.
On www.aip.net.nz
it has the sections for different airports.

Under christchurch it has 02 STAR, 20 STAR etc. the number is the runway so if you are using runway 02 then read this: http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/NZCH_33.2_33.3.pdf

[Timmo]

Well im certainly no expert either but- StArs link up with certain runways and provide a common approach procedure; The runway in use (and therefore the StAr) depends on the wind which will be listed in the ATIS reading/advised by the tower.

So: if possible, look at the forcast for the destination airport and predict which rwy will be in use or just dial up the ATIS on route and get it from there. Then select the STAR for that runway and follow the procedures from the AIP plate depending on which direction you are coming from...

are you having trouble reading the plates or just wondering why the FMC is sending you on a tiki-tour?

Dont be afraid to fly hands on

[Mark Richards]

The simple rule is to find a STAR that has one of the fixes on your flightplan as part of the STAR for the Runway you're landing on. Say you're coming in to Wellington RWY34 from Auckland, your flightplan will be: DCT AA H384 TR M639 WN DCT which puts you over the TR (Tory) VOR. Therefore select TR1A arrival for RWY34.

[benwynn]

Why the hell would you look at the EFIS kelburn

But yes, as mark said- If the flight plan flies over a point, such as Cape Campbell, you would fly the Cape Campbell 1 Alpha/Bravo Arrival, depending on what runway you were using

[Kelburn]

maybe not the EFIS. What ever the name for the moving map is. Thats usually what I look at

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

Cheers guys!

i've been reading your replys and they do make sence, it just had me buggered thats all, i can read the templates no prob's but just looking at my flightplan and then trying to decide which STAR best suit's my arrival really had me, (mainly because i didnt know what i was looking for) can someone please tell me this then...for my flightplan--AA H384 NP H252 NS V288 YW H309 CH-- what should i be looking for on the templates? something that connects with YH or CH? so with my last waypoint in the flightplan im looking for a VOR or something that should corrospond with my last waypoint? still trying to get the grips of this...

[AlisterC]

Best thing to do (in my experience) is to look at the waypoints available on the charts and see which suit your route - as far back into your route as you can.
So, in this case, PEAKS1A suits your route, as PEAKS is on airway V288.
http://www.aip.net.nz/pdf/NZCH_33.2_33.3.pdf

Online I prefer to file a route as such:
AA H384 NP H252 NS V288 PEAKS - if I am looking to fly the STAR the controller will see that I have filed PEAKS, and will set me in motion to fly the PEAKS1A arrival, or offer it to me, or offer vectors, whatever is our combined preferance.

But basically, you'll need to know what waypoint resides on what airway, something that comes with practice I dare say (or have FSnav handy)

[FunkymonkeyNZ]

Just want to take the time to give a BIG thanks to all those who helped me out with my dilemma, Fully understand how it all works now and i couldnt have done it without all your help and advice!
Many thanks to Albatros & Mark Richards, Top effort fullers!

FunkymonkeyNZ