Learn how to choose the correct STAR by matching route, transition, runway, approach, aircraft capability and ATC instructions in any flight simulator.
In a general flight simulator, choose the STAR whose published entry point matches the final waypoint or airway of your route, then select the runway transition that serves the expected landing runway. Confirm aircraft eligibility, altitude and speed constraints, and ATC clearance; the shortest-looking arrival is not necessarily the correct one.
A STAR is a published route from the en-route structure into an airport’s terminal area. It may connect directly to an instrument approach, finish at a common arrival fix or end with radar vectors. For the wider planning sequence, our practical IFR arrival workflow explains how the arrival, approach and descent fit together.
Which STAR matches my flight plan?
The right STAR creates a logical published path from your arrival direction to the airport’s expected runway flow. Check the chart rather than selecting an arrival solely because its line looks short on the simulator map.
| Check | What to select | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Route connection | A STAR whose initial fix or en-route transition matches the final airway or waypoint in your route | A large turn, backtrack or arbitrary direct leg is needed to join it |
| Runway flow | An arrival serving the expected runway, runway group or terminal direction | The chart excludes your runway or sends traffic to the opposite side of the airport |
| Aircraft capability | A procedure for which the aircraft meets the stated RNAV, navigation and equipment requirements | The chart requires capabilities your aircraft or avionics do not provide |
| Restrictions | A path whose altitude and speed constraints the aircraft can reasonably meet | The descent would require excessive speed, drag or an unstable profile |
| ATC clearance | The STAR assigned or accepted by the controlling service | Your flight planner recommends a different procedure from the one you were cleared to fly |
Weather helps predict the landing runway, but wind alone does not determine airport flow. Use the destination ATIS or simulator ATC when available, accounting for runway closures and operational direction. If flying without ATC, choose the runway and STAR combination that best matches the published routing and conditions.
How do I select a STAR step by step?
- Identify the likely runway. Check destination weather, ATIS and any runway information available in the simulator. Treat this as provisional because the runway can change before arrival.
- Inspect the end of your en-route flight plan. Note the final airway and waypoint from which you will enter the terminal area.
- Compare the STAR charts. Find the arrival beginning at that waypoint, or a published transition connected to it. If several qualify, compare their runway coverage, direction of travel and equipment notes.
- Select the correct transition. The en-route transition determines how you enter the STAR; a runway transition or branch determines how you leave it. Avionics use inconsistent labels, so verify the actual waypoint sequence rather than relying on the word
TRANS. - Add the approach separately. Choose the expected ILS, RNAV or other approach and its appropriate transition. Confirm that the final STAR leg sensibly connects to the approach’s initial fix or to a published vector segment.
- Inspect every loaded leg. Look for loops, duplicated fixes, sharp reversals, unexpected direct legs and route discontinuities. Cross-check altitude and speed constraints against the chart.
- Brief the descent and clearance. Determine where descent must begin, which restrictions are mandatory and what you will do if ATC changes the runway or arrival.
Simulator interfaces differ. Our explanation of how the MSFS planner handles arrivals and runway changes covers the world-map workflow, while the X-Plane 12 procedure and transition selection sequence shows how those choices are loaded there.
Is a STAR the same as an instrument approach?
No. The STAR brings the aircraft from the en-route structure into the terminal area; the approach positions it for landing and includes a missed-approach procedure.
Some STARs join an approach neatly at a shared fix, but others terminate with an instruction to expect radar vectors. Do not automatically delete every DISCONTINUITY after an open or vector arrival: it may represent the point where ATC is expected to provide headings. Without ATC, plan a safe chart-consistent connection rather than inventing a direct shortcut through restricted legs.
What should I do if the runway or STAR changes?
Keep the existing STAR if it supports the new runway and only its runway branch or approach needs changing. Replace the complete arrival when the new runway flow uses a different STAR, or when instructed by ATC.
After any change, inspect the active route again. Changing an approach can introduce duplicate waypoints, remove constraints or leave the FMS tracking an obsolete leg. Confirm the active waypoint, arrival branch, approach transition and descent profile before continuing.
Why is the expected STAR missing from the FMS?
A missing or differently named STAR usually indicates mismatched navigation data, an incorrect runway filter or a procedure that the selected aircraft cannot use.
- Compare the chart and FMS navigation-data cycles; renamed or revised procedures may differ between them.
- Check whether the simulator’s planner and the add-on aircraft use separate navigation databases.
- Try selecting the STAR before the approach, or temporarily clear the runway filter to reveal all compatible arrivals.
- Check for a renamed runway caused by magnetic variation; older data may list the previous runway designation.
- If an imported simulator plan already contains the arrival, inspect it before entering the same STAR manually and creating duplicate legs.
When flying under online ATC, report that the assigned procedure is unavailable and request another arrival or vectors. Do not substitute a similarly named STAR without clearance.
What if the destination airport has no STAR?
Not every airport has a published STAR. In that case, follow the cleared airway or direct routing towards an appropriate approach transition, arrival fix or radar-vector area. Use the airport and approach charts to construct that connection; the absence of a STAR is not an FMS fault by itself.