I went into work today and received a "stand up briefing" relating to new MEM RNAV STARS procedures that went into effect on the last chart change. After spending some time reviewing the new procedures and comparing them to the existing STARS for non-RNAV and turboprops, I discovered the following:
1. When I compared the RNAV STARS with the existing STARS for non-RNAV and turboprops, I discovered that there were numerous NAVAID radials that differed by as much as three degrees. This may not sound like much, but take a look at some of the transitions and do the math.
2. When I compared the new RNAV STARS with the existing STARS for non-RNAV and turboprop aircraft, I disovered that some FIXES were as much as ten (10) miles apart from one chart to another. Will this be YOUR error? Or will the error be charted to ATC? A ten mile error could place you in another ATC Sector, MOA or TFR.
3. The point at which you will be told to "Expect vectors to final approach course passing XXXXX" varies from one chart to the next. The charts for non-RNAV and turboprop aircraft indicate a fix that is outside of my airspace, and I am not allowed to issue a vector until you are within the lateral confines of my airspace. What will you do if you don't receive the vector? Start pestering ATC? Or continue inbound on the STAR?
4. MEM TRACON does not utilize Flight Progress Strips for arrivals, so we will have no idea which STAR you are flying. There are now two STARS from each corner post, each with slightly different radials and instructions.
5. The STARS for non-RNAV and turboprop aircraft utlize a heading at the "pivot point" (BOWEN, CLARK, OLIVV and TWIKL). The new RNAV STARS utlize tracks from the pivot point to two new fixes on the downwind. These downwind fixes are not depicted on our RADAR video maps, and the tracks to these fixes do not coincide with the headings off of the pivot point.
If someone can enlighten me as to why there are differences between these two types of STARS, I'd be most thankful. Otherwise, we should all start complaining to someone about the STAR irregularities at MEM.
MEM_ATC