Foreflight route advisor and STAR

[CaptainMD]

Hello PE,

I was reaching out for a little Foreflight flight planning help.

The flight is KTEB to KBOS and I’m going to be flying a Premier 1A light jet . Using the Foreflight route advisor feature, ATC has cleared several jets via BREZY V39 CMK MERIT ROBUC3 with 17,000 feet peak altitude.

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Taking a look at the ROBUC3 STAR, why would Foreflight or ATC state that 17,000 is the peak altitude on this route because after MERIT, the lowest altitude you should be at is 21,000 feet at RUIZE.
I see AWLIN is at or above 17,000. Should it be expected that ATC will make you skip RUIZE and go direct AWLIN?

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A bit confused as to why the stated altitudes in the Foreflight route advisor disagree with the STAR altitude restrictions. I’ve seen this on other routes to.

Thanks for your time!
Massimo

[Kevin_atc]

The MEA is 17000 so that’s the true lowest altitude you can be at. The RUIZE window only applies if you’re at or above that window when you hit it therefore if you are at 17000 and issued descend via before hitting RUIZE, you disregard that altitude window and comply with the first applicable one. NEVER climb to meet a window after being issued descend via (yes, that question is asked from time to time in the real world).

[CaptainMD]

Thanks Kevin,

I didn’t know that. I thought those altitude restrictions were a must. Would a pilot ever expect ATC to climb them before hitting RUIZE even though there flight plan was approved for 17,000? I other words, hey 123AB, climb to meet the 21 23 restriction? That can’t be seen as practical by ATC or the aviation community can it?

[Kevin_atc]

Thanks Kevin,

I didn’t know that. I thought those altitude restrictions were a must. Would a pilot ever expect ATC to climb them before hitting RUIZE even though there flight plan was approved for 17,000? I other words, hey 123AB, climb to meet the 21 23 restriction? That can’t be seen as practical by ATC or the aviation community can it?

Not unless there was some strange traffic conflict.