Holding

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• The holding pattern for IFR aircraft is a Racetrack pattern based on a holding
fix.
• A reference fix: it is the holding pattern start. It can be a navigation aid, DME
distance and track from a navigation aid or a normal FIX. It is mandatory to
overfly this fix for an aircraft to enter a holding pattern.
• A first half turn(180°) to the right (it can be left hand if published) to join the
outbound leg. (Standard Rate 1 Turn)
• An outbound leg which usually starts abeam the holding fix at a published
heading and ends after a certain period of time or certain DME distance
described on the charts
• A second half turn(180°) to the right to join the inbound leg
• An inbound leg to join the holding fix at a certain predefined track
• A standard holding pattern uses right-hand turns and takes approximately 4
minutes to complete (one minute for each 180 degree turn, and two one-minute
straight ahead sections).
• By default, if a holding pattern is not published,
the standard holding pattern is defined with right turns and
the outbound leg is 1 minute.
• The flying time of an outbound leg should not exceed:
1 minute: if at or below 14000ft or 4250m
1 minute + 30 seconds: if above 14000ft or 4250m

• All turns are to be made at a bank angle of 30° or at a rate of 3° per second, whichever
requires the lesser bank
• The outbound timing leg begins when you roll wings level out of the turn or abeam the
fix, whichever occurs last.
• The inbound timing leg begins when the radial inbound is intercepted or when you roll
wings level.
• Inbound timing ends when overhead fix eg: if VOR is the fix then when the NAV flag
appears.
Drift and Timing correction in holds

• Angle on outbound leg= 2 x the angle in inbound leg (towards the wind)
• If inbound timing is 10 seconds more(headwind). Then it’s a tailwind for the outbound.
Therefore the outbound timing should be 10 seconds less. Vice versa is applicable.

Airspeed Restrictions

• Holding from the surface up to 6,000 feet the maximum airspeed in the hold is 200knots
(indicated airspeed).
• From 6,000 feet to 14,000 feet 230knots is the limit
• from 14,000 feet and up it is 265 knots
 Holding Entry Made
Easy
Which entry to use? Parallel? Direct? Teardrop? Just ignore the VOR or ADF when using
this trick: First, make sure you are heading to the fix the hold is based on. Then, imagine
this diagram over your heading indicator. Determine which area the OUTBOUND leg falls in.
This is your entry. (How to remember which diagram to use? The Direct portion is always
biggest on the side your are turning: so for right turns, the Direct is semicircle with the peak
on the right, and vice versa.) If not heading to the fix, just rotate the red figures so that the
line between teardrop and parallel is on the heading you will be on when entering the hold.
You can also simulate this diagram using your figures while flying.

Teardrop Teardrop
Parallel Parallel

Direct Direct

HDG HDG

Non-Standard Hold Standard Hold

(Left Turns) (Right Turns)
There are 3 types of entries for an IF holding pattern. The
entries are
• Direct entry
• Parallel entry
• Teardrop entry
Direct entry
Upon reaching the fix, turn right and follow the holding pattern

Parallel entry
• Upon reaching the fix, turn onto the
outbound heading of the holding pattern for
1 minute (Appropriate time).
• Turn left to intercept the inbound track or to
return directly to the fix.
• On the second arrival over the fix, turn right
and follow the holding pattern

Teardrop entry
• Upon reaching the fix, turn to a heading that results
in a track having an angle of 30˚ from the inbound
track reciprocal on the holding side
• Continue for 1 minute (appropriate period of time),
then turn right to intercept the inbound track and
follow the holding pattern.
5 T’s to follow after joining the hold

• Turn:
Which direction are you turning in the holding pattern?
Standard or non-standard pattern: i.e. right or left turns?

• Time:
o Unless otherwise stated by ATC, all inbound legs are one minute.
• After intercepting the radial or rolling wings level, begin your timer for 1 minute inbound.
Remember to adjust your outbound leg so that the inbound leg is 1 minute.
Depending on wind, etc., you may have an outbound leg LONGER/SHORTER that 1 minute.
Twist (OBS to inbound course)
If it's a hold based off of a VOR, you may need to twist the OBS to the inbound course or the
outbound course.

Are you flying TO the VOR or AWAY from it? If the inbound leg is flying to the VOR,
remember to make sure that you have twisted the OBS so that the indicator shows a "TO"
indication and the correct inbound course is selected

Throttle
Do you need to adjust your power?

If your timing isn't correct for the inbound leg, then you need to either apply power or
reduce power. Remember, you are allowed three trips around the pattern to get it right

Talk
Do you need to talk to ATC?

ATC may ask you to report crossing the fix or something similar. This one really comes into
play when you are performing approaches or procedure turns.

Track (optional)
This one is pretty simple, yet surprisingly, it gets forgotten a lot
Remember to track your course, either inbound or outbound
Establishing in the VOR hold at VCBI RWY 22

Holding radial is 202, Inbound course is 0220

Minimum holding altitude is 3500 ft and Standard hold pattern.

• Take-off from Ratmalana and at Kaduwela tracking R145 to KAT

• Therefore assuming heading= course (3250 )
• Joining hold via a Direct entry