Holding Patterns

Holding patterns are used to regulate the flow of traffic and provide separation between aircraft. There are two types of holding patterns: standard holding patter and non-standard holding pattern. The standard holding pattern uses left turns while the non-standard holding pattern uses right turns. Holding patterns use both time and navigation fixes to keep a pilot in a location while flying. Both patterns use a timing leg that should make the pilot fly an inbound leg of 1 minute in length. This may require the pilot to adjust the outbound leg accordingly depending on wind conditions. All holding pattern turns should use a standard rate, which is 360 degrees in two minutes. This allows timing to be more accurate during the procedure. Timing of legs begins when the aircraft is abeam or over the fix, which ever occurs later. If the abeam position cannot be identified, start timing your outbound leg at the wings level position. While holding consider wind conditions that may require crab angles during the flight of the holding pattern. The amount of wind correction needed depends on the strength of the wind, but the suggested method is to triple the out bound heading from that of the inbound heading (ex. if the inbound is 5 degree WCA, then the outbound should be 15 degrees). If you do not use sufficient wind correction on the outbound leg, the wind may push you into unprotected airspace.

ATC Instructions:

When you reach your clearance limit and ATC expects a delay, you will usually be issued a holding clearance within 5 minutes before arriving at your controller. The controller will give you a holding clearance that includes the name of the fix, directs you to hold as published and an Expect Further Clearance time (EFC). When there is no published holding pattern, the controller will give you more instructions. The following describes what you can expect:

Published Holding Pattern –

1. The direction to hold from the fix.
2. Holding Fix.
3. Expect Further Clearance time.

Example Instructions: "Aircraft 1234, Hold south-east at XXX intersection Estimate Further Clearance at 12:00Zulu."

Non-published Holding Pattern -

1. The direction to hold from the fix.
2. Holding Fix.
3. Specified radial, route, or magnetic bearing, airway number or route.
4. Outbound leg length in minutes of nautical miles DME.
5. Pattern to be used (standard or non-standard).
6. Expect Further Clearance Time.

Example Instructions: "Aircraft 1234, Hold south-east on XXX radial of XXX station, 1 minute legs, right turns, Estimate Further Clearance at 12:00Zulu."

If you are approaching your clearance limit and ATC has not given you further instructions, you are expected to follow certain procedures:

1. Request further clearance before you read the fix. If unable, then;
2. Expected to hold at the fix in compliance with the published holding pattern. If unable, then;
3. Hold on the inbound course using right turns.

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