FAR DECODED — GLOSSARY

SCHEDULED TIME OF ARRIVAL (STA)

Definition

SCHEDULED TIME OF ARRIVAL (STA)

A STA is the desired time that an aircraft should cross a certain point (landing or metering fix). It takes other traffic and airspace configuration into account. A STA time shows the results of the TBFM scheduler that has calculated an arrival time according to parameters such as optimized spacing, aircraft performance, and weather.

Source: FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary (verbatim from the Federal Aviation Regulations).