I was on an IFR flight from KSBN to KORD.  I filed the plan to the active runway 09L via the arrival ESSPO3.ESSPO and approach ILS09L.DOOGY.   The ESSPO arrival had published altitudes at 10,000' so I had to set my cruise to that altitude.   After peddling my heart out in the 172,  I got to 10k about then minutes from the transition ESSPO.   The controller told me to "Expect the ESSPO Arrival with the ESSPO Transition for the ILS 09L Approach to KORD."   Cool!  That's exactly as I expected.  Then, to my surprise, the controller came back to say "Descend via the ESSPO Arrival to 4,000 feet."   What??  There is no 4,000' altitude anywhere in the ESSPO3 Arrival (the first one is 10,000 and the last altitude in the Arrival is 6,000).   The first altitude of 4,000 is the IAF which is DOOGY at 4,000.   Why would the controller have me descend to Approach altitude before I even entered the STAR?   10,000 is clearly in the flight plan and the controller said "via the ESSPO Arrival" so why the 4,000'?   I know the controller can override published altitudes but why must I waste all that altitude over 50 miles at low altitude?   I was only at 10,000 for about ten minutes!

Confused!   Explanation appreciated

-mark

Hi Mark,

The key word here is "Descend VIA". This means that you are clear to fly the arrival, following the published route and restrictions, to 4000ft. This does not mean you are asked to descend immediately to 4000ft, it's up to you to start your descent at the right time.

Hope this helps.

 

Fabrice

Edited August 13, 20205 yr by Fabrice

Ah! That makes sense!  Thank you Fabrice