What does STAR stand for in aviation terminology?

In aviation terminology, STAR stands for Standard Terminal Arrival Route. This concept is essential for managing the arrival of aircraft into busy terminal airspaces. A STAR provides a structured route that aircraft follow as they transition from enroute airspace to the terminal area, simplifying the arrival process for both pilots and air traffic controllers.

The STAR procedure helps in organizing the flow of traffic, enhances safety, improves efficiency, and minimizes the time that aircraft spend in the terminal area. It provides specific waypoints, altitudes, and speeds that pilots need to adhere to, allowing for a more predictable and manageable sequence of arrivals.

The other options, while they may sound plausible, do not reflect standardized terminology used in aviation. For instance, Single Turnaround Arrival Route and Special Tactical Arrival Route are not recognized terms within established aviation procedures. Similarly, Structured Terminal Approach Route could imply a routing structure but does not accurately define what STAR stands for in the context of arrivals into terminal areas.