Holding Procedures

Question 1

Purpose of holding

Answer 1

•Reached clearance limit
•Something has changed in the IFR scheduling system
•Weather has changed (for the worse.. VMC->IMC)
•Traffic has changed
•Emergency has happened
•Airport closures
•Closed RWY/TXY or gates
•Missed Approach procedure
•Waiting your turn for additional approach (conflicting traffic)

Question 2

Published vs. unpublished holds

Answer 2

•Published holds can be found on:
•Enroute Charts
•Approach Plate
•SID
•STAR
•Unpublished holds will be issued by ATC

Question 3

Unpublished holding instructions requirements

Answer 3

1.Cardinal direction of holding from the fix (N, NE, E, SE, etc.)
2.Holding fix (may be omitted if fix is your clearance limit)
3.Radial, course, bearing, airway, or route on which the aircraft is to hold.
4.Leg length in miles or in minutes (if non-standard)
5.Direction of turn (only if left turns are to be made)
6.Time to expect-further-clearance (EFC) and any pertinent additional delay information.

Question 4

Parallel entry

Answer 4

•When approaching the holding fix from anywhere in sector (a), cross the holding fix and:
•Turn to a heading to parallel the holding course outbound for 1 minute
•Turn to the holding side of the hold through more than 180°
•NOTE: direction of this turn will be in the opposite direction of that specified for the hold
•Return to the holding fix or intercept the holding course inbound.

Question 5

Teardrop entry

Answer 5

•When approaching the holding fix from anywhere in sector (b), cross the holding fix and:
•Turn 30° of the outbound course on the holding side for a period of 1 minute
•Tip: Right turn holds -30
•Left turn holds +30
•Turn in the direction of the holding pattern to intercept the inbound holding course.

Question 6

Direct entry

Answer 6

•When approaching the holding fix from anywhere in sector (c), cross the holding fix and:
•Turn to follow the holding pattern

Question 7

The 5 Ts

Answer 7

•Time – start timer
•Turn – either standard turn in holding direction (direct), outbound heading ±30° (teardrop), or outbound heading (parallel)
•Twist – adjust OBS to inbound course (reciprocal of radial if fix is a VOR station)
•Throttle – adjust power if necessary to maintain holding speed
•Talk – notify ATC of your entry into the hold, the time, and altitude/flight level

Question 8

Standard hold

Answer 8

•Bank angle: All turns standard rate
•Time: 1 min. legs (below 14,000ft MSL)
•Turns: RIGHT
•The 5 T’s: All 5 not always applicable

Question 9

Timing the outbound segment

Answer 9

•Starts with the complete reversal of the TO/FROM indicator (at VOR fix) or when ADF/RMI bearing is exactly 90° (at NDB/VOR fix)
•Ends with the standard rate turn towards the inbound leg.

Question 10

Timing inbound segment

Answer 10

•Starts with the completion of the standard rate turn (wings level) or when CDI is centered
•Ends with the complete reversal of TO/FROM indicator (VOR) or ADF/RMI needle flip

Question 11

Correcting for crosswind

Answer 11

•Correcting for a crosswind may take a few tries before you get it exact.
•As you are on the inbound leg, note the amount of wind correction (in degrees and direction) needed to keep your CDI centered.
•As you turn outbound you will need to TRIPLE this number. To Correct for all the legs (turn outbound, outbound leg, and turn inbound)