Holding Patterns

Question 1

What does the location of a hold ensure?

Answer 1

That an aircraft remains clear of ground and obstructions, ready to continue flight when authorised to do so, either to continue approach to land or continue enroute.

Question 2

Why do aircraft hold?

Answer 2

Weather
Emergency - themselves or other a/c
Traffic density / congestion
Runway blocked
Awaiting diversion
Ground equipment u/s

Question 3

What are the components of a holding pattern?

Answer 3

Holding fix
Inbound leg
Fix end
Outbound leg
Outbound end
Holding side and non holding side

Question 4

What is a holding fix?

Answer 4

Over a nav aid (VOR/NDB)
Intersection of VOR radials
VOR DME position

Question 5

What is the holding axis?

Answer 5

The required inbound track to the holding fix.

Question 6

What type of turn is used in a hold?

Answer 6

Rate 1, 3 degrees per second
25 degrees of bank

Whichever requires least angle of bank

A/c holding at greater than 170kts may therefore turn at less than 3 degrees per second.

Question 7

Upto and including 14,000ft, What are the holding speeds for cat A&B aircraft?

Answer 7

170kts

Question 8

Upto and including 14,000ft, What are the normal holding speeds for cat C,D&E aircraft?

Answer 8

230kts

Question 9

List Aircraft category speeds cat A-E

Answer 9

A less than 91kts IAS
B 91-120kts IAS
C 121-140kts IAS
D 141-165kts IAS
E 166-210kts IAS

(1.3xstalling speed in landing configuration at max certified landing mass)

Question 10

How long is the outbound leg?

Answer 10

1min
1.5min above 14000ft

Commences abeam fix or on completion of the outbound turn, whichever later.

Limiting radial may apply

Question 11

What effect does wind have on the holding pattern

Answer 11

Drift

Pilots adjust headings and timings to allow for wind effect

Controllers should be aware that aircraft may not follow regular pattern

Pilot must inform if unable to confirm with procedures or limitations of hold pattern

Question 12

What type of hold entry from sector 1? And how long will it take?

Answer 12

Parallel entry, 3 minutes

Question 13

What type of hold entry from sector 2, and how long will it take?

Answer 13

Offset entry, 3 minutes

Question 14

What type of hold entry from sector 3 and how long will it take?

Answer 14

Direct entry, 0 minutes.

Question 15

What are the 3 other entry methods?

Answer 15

Along holding radial

Via DME arc

Via secondary fix

Question 16

What is the normal separation from a holding pattern?

Answer 16

5 minutes from the flight path of the holding aircraft.

ATC need to be aware of dimensions to calculate.

Authority will calculate and determine which of adjacent holding patterns deemed separated.

Question 17

What is a holding procedure?

Answer 17

A predetermined manoeuvre which keeps an aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance.

Question 18

Define minimum descent height / altitude

Answer 18

In relation to the operation of an aircraft at an aerodrome means the height/altitude in a non-precision approach below which descent may not be made without the required visual reference.

Question 19

Define minimum sector altitude

Answer 19

The lowest safe altitude for instrument flight within sectors of an aid, facility or aerodrome which is published in the appropriate approach chart.

Question 20

Define obstacle clearance height / altitude

Answer 20

The lowest height above the elevation of the relevant runway threshold or above aerodrome elevation as applicable used in establishing compliance with the appropriate obstacle clearance criteria.

Minimum of 1000ft clearance within the holding area.

This value may be increased where necessary to provide clearance over obstacles in the buffer area.

Question 21

What is the distance between the holding area and buffer area?

Answer 21

5 nm