Light Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 110; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 5000
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Descent had been initiated into RDU via routing of the Aldan 1 STAR. Altitude changes had been given in steps by ATC. About 2 minutes prior to arrival over SBV VOR the Controller hurriedly advised to 'descend via the Aldan 1' which meant we were now responsible for all altitude changes. This clearance was not given in time to program the VNAV and resulted in arriving over SBV VOR some 3;000 FT high. Once we caught up we were able to comply with subsequent crossing restrictions. This has become an all too common ATC approach to the 'descend via' STARS. Most of the time the clearance is not transmitted in time to allow an orderly programming of the FMS and results in a mad scramble to make initial crossing restrictions if they are made at all. When initial descents are provided by ATC and then the 'descend via' requirement is added; it appears that ATC is dumping altitude responsibilities off on the cockpit crew. Crews can and do make these STARs work every day but only when ATC communicates the requirement in a manner that allows enough time for programming and briefing. Short of that; it is a mad rush to catch up and safety of the flight is compromised. My plan is to ask ATC if we can anticipate the 'descend via' clearance as soon as possible and get it programmed ahead of time.
A Corporate crew was issued a descend VIA on the RDU ALDAN 1 STAR after being kept high on the profile and commented that ATC is expecting flight crews to 'catch up' and 'comply' after previous non profile step down descent clearances.