Which statement describes descent in the presence of published altitude restrictions on an arrival?

Which statement describes descent in the presence of published altitude restrictions on an arrival?

• A. Descend to the lowest altitude in the sector and then request clearance.
• B. Descend via the published altitude restrictions if permitted, or assign a specific altitude consistent with the approach.
• C. Descend only after receiving explicit clearance for the entire arrival.
• D. Descend directly to the final approach altitude regardless of restrictions.

Answer: (B)

When an arrival has published altitude restrictions, you can descend by following those constraints if ATC allows it, either by issuing a descent clearance via the arrival or by assigning a specific altitude that fits the approach. This keeps you on the proper step-down altitudes through the fixes and ensures obstacle clearance and proper sequencing are maintained. If ATC hasn’t given a descent‑via clearance, you would still descend only to the altitude ATC assigns along the way, not automatically drop to the final approach altitude or ignore the published constraints. So the best description is that you descend via the published altitude restrictions if permitted, or accept an ATC-assigned altitude consistent with the approach.

When an arrival has published altitude restrictions, you can descend by following those constraints if ATC allows it, either by issuing a descent clearance via the arrival or by assigning a specific altitude that fits the approach. This keeps you on the proper step-down altitudes through the fixes and ensures obstacle clearance and proper sequencing are maintained. If ATC hasn’t given a descent‑via clearance, you would still descend only to the altitude ATC assigns along the way, not automatically drop to the final approach altitude or ignore the published constraints.

So the best description is that you descend via the published altitude restrictions if permitted, or accept an ATC-assigned altitude consistent with the approach.