Holding procedures

The racetrack and timing

Hold a track and protected pattern, not merely two arbitrary headings.

Geometry and turn performance

A standard holding pattern uses right turns; left turns are specifically published or instructed. The inbound track leads to the holding fix, then a turn to the outbound leg, another turn and the inbound leg. Use 25 degrees of bank or 3 degrees per second, whichever requires the lesser bank, subject to the applicable procedure.

Still-air outbound timing is normally one minute at or below 14,000 ft and one and a half minutes above. Start timing abeam the fix or on reaching the outbound heading, whichever is later; if the abeam position cannot be determined, start on completing the outbound turn. A distance-defined holding leg ends at the specified DME/RNAV limit instead of an assumed timer. Published speed limits are essential to protection.

Wind and clearance time

Correct inbound heading to maintain the inbound track and adjust outbound heading/timing to achieve the required inbound leg. The familiar triple-drift outbound correction is a starting technique, not a universal exact solution. Strong wind can make an uncorrected pattern drift beyond the protected side.

If unable to meet the published pattern, advise ATC early. When cleared to leave the holding point at a specified time, adjust the pattern within its limits to depart at that time rather than invent an unsafe shortcut. A cleared exit time and an expected approach time have different meanings.

Compare the three holding entries

The sectors are referenced to the holding fix and inbound course.

Three entry methods

Direct entry crosses the fix and turns into the pattern. Parallel entry crosses the fix, flies outbound on the non-holding side parallel to the inbound track, then turns toward the holding side to intercept inbound. Offset/teardrop entry crosses the fix and flies a track 30 degrees from the reciprocal inbound track toward the holding side, then turns to intercept inbound.

For a standard right-hand hold, the entry-sector construction uses a 70-degree line through the fix, giving nominal 110-degree parallel, 70-degree offset and 180-degree direct sectors. Apply the mirrored construction for left-hand holding. The normal five-degree sector-boundary flexibility avoids treating a one-degree change as an unsafe discontinuity. Entry heading timing is normally one minute unless a distance or procedure provision applies.

Protection is larger than the ink

The basic holding area covers the pattern and navigation/flight technical allowances; the entry area accounts for permitted entries, and a buffer area surrounds the basic protected area. Ordinary minimum obstacle clearance in the holding area is at least 300 m (1,000 ft), with additional clearance over high terrain or mountainous areas and a tapering buffer assessment under the design criteria.

Speed, wind, bank angle and navigation tolerance are assumptions. A racetrack drawn on an FMS is not the boundary of all protected airspace, and the protected area is not a place to wander freely. The interactive entry construction shows the selected method and the permitted side before animating the path.

Obstacle-clearance detail

The holding-area MOC is at least 300 m (1,000 ft), with the specified increased allowance over high/mountainous terrain, up to 600 m (2,000 ft) as required. The surrounding buffer normally extends 9.3 km (5 NM); its obstacle assessment tapers according to the design criteria rather than providing the full primary margin everywhere. Holding speed limits and the chart’s specific restrictions remain essential.

Can you apply the rules?

Four original questions. Choose from the facts, then review the explanation.