ATS stepped descents?

[GodAtum 69]

ATC gives me great stepped altitudes when climbing, but on descent it just gives me the lowest. Like I'm FL390 and it says descent to 3000.

Not sure how realistic that is compared to IRL?

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 864]

You might be told to descend to 3000 ft via the xxxx arrival, but that is clearance to follow the published STAR procedure, not to descend directly to 3000.

If you don't have a STAR, then you would get a "stepped descent".

Dave

[GodAtum 69]

22 hours ago, Dave-Pilot2ATC said:

You might be told to descend to 3000 ft via the xxxx arrival, but that is clearance to follow the published STAR procedure, not to descend directly to 3000.

If you don't have a STAR, then you would get a "stepped descent".

Dave

Thanks, so would a pilot set the MCP to 3000, or the STAR altitudes?

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 864]

That depends on what equipment you have.  If it has VNAV, it should be able to fly the published altitudes.  You just need to be sure they are entered.

  If not, you would have to set them manually. 

However you do it, it's up to you to follow the restrictions in the STAR.

[PapaWhiskey0976 1]

It would be nice to get stepped descents for a STAR as well. Which, I think, is in some cases much more realistic than a 'decent via' to the IAF altitude. I'm new and did only a couple of flights with P2A. One flight was to EDDF via SPESA1B. For this approach no altitue restrictions are published in the chart. But in the written airport briefing you'll find 'expect FL between 120 and 100 at SPESA'. I think even if you have to follow the STAR, ATC will bring you down to IAF altitude step by step.

Btw. I also miss speed reduction instructions during the approach. I think in real live, ATC will slow you down during the descent for separation.