Challenger CL600
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 7300; Flight Crew Type 3500
Confusion; Workload; Human-Machine Interface; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Procedure
Was cleared PANOCHE THREE ARRIVAL into OAK. Upon handoff to ZOA; was re-routed direct EMZOH; EMZOH ONE ARRIVAL with RWY 30 transition. Knew NorCal TRACON (NCT) lands all business jet aircraft RWY 28L or RWY 28R but 28R NOTAMD closed. I told ZOA I did not want to re-program FMS with different RWYs and transitions in the terminal environment as this was unsafe. ZOA handed off to NCT. NCT Controller was unable to provide RWY 28L transition and advised next sector would comply with our request for 28L. Meanwhile; continued descent and complied with all speed and altitude constraints on EMZOH ONE with RWY 30 transition. NCT handoff [us] to next sector. Finally that NCT Controller assigned us 28L transition and told us expect RNAV (GPS) y 28L Approach. After re-programming FMS at least 3 times during descent; finally got approach loaded and landing performance numbers in FMS at 12;700 FT MSL; in busy terminal environment; way too late; and way too low. Suggest ZOA coordinate with NCT to clear business jet aircraft on STAR to expected RWY transition at cruise altitude instead of this needless back and forth during descent. This practice is very dangerous as it distracts crews from their primary duties and responsibilities during high workload descent phase and requires FMS re-programming during sterile flight below FL180.
The flight crew reported that ATC issued several arrival changes close in to the airport; resulting in multiple programming changes to FMS while approaching 10;000 feet.