Holding Procedures

Question 1

What is a holding fix?

Answer 1

A geographical location that serves as a reference for a holding procedure

Question 2

Define a holding procedure

Answer 2

A predetermined maneuver that keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance.

Question 3

What are some reasons for holding?

Answer 3

Weather
Traffic Flow Management
Accident at Airfield

Question 4

What are the parts of a holding pattern?

Answer 4

Holding Fix
Fix End
Abeam
Outbound Leg
Outbound End
Inbound Leg
Holding Fix

Question 5

What is the holding axis?

Answer 5

The required inbound track to the holding fix

Question 6

What rate are turns made in holding patterns?

Answer 6

Rate 1 (3°/sec)
or
25° of bank

Which requires least angle of bank

Therefore aircraft >170kts may not turn at Rate 1

Question 7

What is the time of the outbound leg?

Answer 7

1 minute
1.5 minutes above 14,000ft

Question 8

When does timing of the outbound leg commence?

Answer 8

Abeam the fix or on completion of the outbound turn, whichever is later

Question 9

If DME is available what might be included in the outbound leg?

Answer 9

Limiting range for the outbound leg

Question 10

If radials are available what might be included in the outbound leg?

Answer 10

Limiting radial for the outbound leg

Question 11

What time should be allowed for a parallel entry?

Answer 11

3 minutes

Question 12

What time should be allowed for an offset entry?

Answer 12

3 minutes

Question 13

What entry is required from sector 1?

Answer 13

Parallel entry

Question 14

What entry is required from sector 2?

Answer 14

Offset Entry

Question 15

What entry is required from sector 3?

Answer 15

Direct Entry

Question 16

What time should be allowed for a direct entry?

Answer 16

No time penalty

Question 17

What factors can affect a holding pattern?

Answer 17

Wind
Speed (Rates of turn)
Effect of level (T&P)
Effect of Navaid used
Turbulence

Question 18

If unable to conform with the procedures or limitations of a holding pattern, what must pilots do?

Answer 18

Inform ATC

Question 19

What is an expected onward clearance time?

Answer 19

A time to leave the hold to continue enroute

Question 20

What will a pilot do when ATC specifies a time to leave the holding pattern?

Answer 20

The pilot will adjust their timing within the pattern in order to leave at the specified time.

Question 21

What is the normal separation from a holding pattern?

Answer 21

5 minutes flying time from the flight path of the holding aircraft

Question 22

Where might a VFR aircraft be asked to hold?

Answer 22

VRPs within controlled airspace

Question 23

If a VRP is outside CAS, can an ATCO instruct an aircraft to hold or route over VRPs?

Answer 23

No, because they are used as navigation points for VFR traffic.

Question 24

Apart from holding at VRPs, how else can VFR aircraft hold?

Answer 24

They can be instructed to orbit.

Question 25

What is a non-published hold?

Answer 25

An ATCO created hold within controlled airspace that may be required due to congestion. The ATCO will determine the inbound Axis and direction of the hold for this purpose.

Question 26

What happens to holding speed in turbulence?

Answer 26

It increases, often to 280kts.

Question 27

What are the aircraft approach categories?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

How are the aircraft approach categories derived?

Answer 28

From their nominal Velocity at Touchdown (Vat) speeds. This is defined as 1.3x the stalling speed in the landing configuration at maximum certificated landing mass.

Question 29

How are the sectors of a hold divided?

Answer 29

By a 70 degree intersection with the inbound radial and a continuation of the inbound radial, creating 3 sectors.

Question 30

What are the other entry methods to a hold?

Answer 30

Along holding radial via a DME Arc via a Secondary Fix

Question 31

At what point must an aircraft be issued an EAT?

Answer 31

When the aircraft is subject to a delay of 10 minutes or more