Holding Lesson Outline

What is holding?
o The process of Delaying the forward movement of an aircraft, in order
to have a good progression of traffic under the IFR environment
o According to the instrument flying handbook, holding is a
predetermined maneuver which keeps aircrafts within a specified
airspace while awaiting further Clearance from ATC
o Usually consist of a race track structure
What is the Purpose of Holding?
o What are some real life situations where holding is done?
Weather delay
Traffic buildup
Waiting for a clearance
Burn excess fuel
Mechanical issues (Landing Gear)
What are the 2 basic types of Holding Patterns?
o Standard
These could be either
Published
o If not sure about holding clearance always ask ATC
and double check
o Pilot is expected to let ATC know when arriving at
the holding fix and leaving the holding fix
o ATC usually lets the aircraft know prior to 5 minutes
about Holding clearance
What are the elements of a holding
clearance?
Holding Fix (Any point that can be
identified)
The Course the aircraft will hold on
Direction of hold (Cardinal Directions)
Turn Direction (Left or Right)
o All turns will be standard rate
Length in Time or DME of hold
o *Standard is Right turns for 1
minute
Expect further clearance time is also
given at the end of this clearance.
o Why is that important?
Situational awareness
request priority because
of fuel?
Lost Communications:
The time one would

proceed with the

approach
o Pilot is in charge of performing the 5 Ts which is
discussed later
Non Published
Standard holding patterns are right turns and are usually 1
minute
Non Standard
Left turn
Could consist of different times or distances

Holding Pattern Phraseology

o Holding Side:
Side where ATC expects the aircraft to be, therefore this is your
protected airspace.
o Non-holding Side:
Flight into this area should be avoided.
o Fix
Origination point for the Hold
Types of holding fixes?
o VOR intersection
o VOR with a given DME
o NDB intersection
o Marker Beacon
o GPS point
o Holding course
Course issued to you by ATC. This course is usually lined up with
the continuance of the approach in mind. This is the course you
will fly Inbound on.
o Inbound Course
During standard holding this is the leg that is ideally 1 minute
long. Timing starts when wings level and abeam the fix
o Outbound Course
The opposite direction of your inbound direction
This is the leg a pilot adjusts to maintain 1 minute inbound.
o Keep in mind, pattern entry count as the 1 st turn in holding
o Minimum Holding Altitude
Lowest holding altitude prescribed for a holding pattern
Assures Nav coverage
Assures communication
Meets obstacle clearence

What are the Standard Holding Pattern Airspeeds?

Altitude (MSL)
o

Airspeed (KIAS)

MHA - 6,000'

200

6,001' - 14,000'

230

14,001' and above

265

of

exceptions to the
maximum holding
airspeeds:
Holding patterns
from 6,001' to
14,000' may be
restricted to a
maximum airspeed
210 KIAS. This
nonstandard pattern

will be depicted by an icon.

Holding patterns may be restricted to a maximum speed. The
speed restriction is depicted in parenthesis inside the holding
pattern on the chart: e.g., (175).
What if the aircraft cannot meet refrain from approaching
these maximums?
o Let ATC know about it
Holding patterns at USAF airfields only- 310 KIAS maximum
Holding patterns at Navy fields only - 230KIAS maximum

What are some different ways of holding?

o Timed Holding
Inbound Leg
Standard 1 minute below 14,000ft
1.5 minutes above 14000ft
Outbound Leg
Timing Begins over/abeam the fix whichever occurs later
If the abeam position cannot be determine, start the
timing when turn to outbound is completed

GPS holding
Distance measured directly from the the Fix
Usually 5nm holds
DME holding
Holding using DME information to figure out the Holding Fix

What are the 3 standard holding entry procedures?

o Direct: the only turn needed to enter the pattern is the correct turn on
the fix.
o Parallel: When approaching the fix from anywhere in section A, a
parallel entry will be used. Fly parallel course for 1 minute then turn
more than 180 back to intercept course.
o Teardrop: When approaching the fix from section B, Teardrop will be
used. Fly 1 minute 30 degrees off of outbound course the turn and
intercept holding course.

Can we enter a hold in any other way?

o Yes, as long as we stay within the holding airspace

What are the 5 Ts of holding?

o Turn: Enter and then turn to the outbound course
All turns during the hold should be the least out of the following
3 degrees per second or standard rate
30 degrees bank angle
25 degrees bank provided a flight director system is used
o Time: Begin timing on outbound leg when abeam and wings level.
Timing on the inbound leg is most important, start when wings level.
o Twist: Twist OBS setting to inbound course. Also twist WCA.
o Throttle: Speed should be adjusted to holding speed
Start speed reduction 3 minutes or less from the holding fix
o Talk: ATC Reporting Requirements: Required to report the time and
altitude upon reaching the holding fix. Also must report leaving the fix.

Wind Correction: Hardest Part about holding

o These patterns have been described in no wind conditions, how will
wind change holding pattern procedures?
o The Goal: Keep the inbound leg the same.

Avoid major turning adjustments

Headwinds and tailwinds will affect this greatly. Before holding entry,
determine the headwind or tailwind component on your inbound leg.
1knot of headwind component= 2 second change on outbound
leg.
Correcting while in holding:
The amount of time off on the inbound leg x2= amount of time
correction on outbound leg.
Wind Correction Angle
To compensate for crosswinds note the WCA on the inbound leg
and triple that for the outbound leg.
Why Triple?

How to draw your Own holding Fix

1. Start at the FIX
2. Draw the specified direction from the fix, then show an arrow on it towards
the fix (direction of the inbound leg)
3. Show the direction of the turn at the fix
4. Note any other details

Example of a Holding Clearance