New Optimized Profile Descent Procedures to be Implemented into San Francisco-Area Airport

April 27, 2015

Arrival Procedures Applicable to Oakland, CA Effective April 30

Pilots arriving Oakland CA (OAK) should take note of the following procedures when the route includes either the OAKES One (RNAV) STAR or the EMZOH One (RNAV) STAR and OAK is landing runway, 30, 28L or 28R. Pilots can expect an initial “descend via” clearance from Oakland center for the OAKES One (RNAV) STAR or the EMZOH One (RNAV) STAR, runway 30 transition, as follows:

Descend Via the OAKES One Arrival, Rwy 30 Transition, Oakland altimeter XXXX

or

Descend Via the EMZOH One Arrival, Rwy 30 Transition, Oakland altimeter XXXX

Pilots should program their RNAV system for the runway 30 transition.

General aviation aircraft arriving OAK can expect the ILS runway 28R or the visual runway 28L. On initial contact with NorCal TRACON, pilots can expect the following revised “descend via” clearance:

Descend Via the OAKES One Arrival, Rwy 28R (or 28L) Transition, Expect ILS Runway 28R

or

Descend Via the EMZOH One Arrival, Rwy 28R (or 28L) Transition, Expect ILS Runway 28R

After receiving this revised clearance from NorCal, pilots should re-program their RNAV system for the revised STAR runway transition, and the applicable approach to runway 28R or 28L. If unable, advise NorCal TRACON.

During their descent and approach briefing, pilots should brief both the runway 30 and runway 28L/R transitions for the applicable STAR.

On April 30, Oakland Center and Northern California TRACON will implement five new optimized RNAV STARs. The new RNAV STARs will be optimized profile descent procedures for arrivals into San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Each procedure is listed below:

YOSEM3 Arrival into KSFO (amended)

• ATC Assigned Only
• Replaces the YOSEM2

EMZOH1 Arrival into KOAK (new)

• Replaces the PANOCHE3 and COMMO1 STARs

OAKES1 Arrival into KOAK (new)

• Replaces the MADWIN5 and MANTECA2 STARs

RAZRR1 Arrival into KSJC (new)

• Replaces ELNIDO5 and JAWWS3 STARs

SUUTR1 Arrival into KSMF (new)

• Replaces the WRAPS5 STAR

The FAA has released a detailed presentation covering each new procedure in detail. In addition, the FAA provides the correct phraseology required from pilots for each of these new procedures.

Review the FAA’s presentation on the new procedures. (PDF)