Prepare for: Holding Patterns
Entering and flying holding patterns with the right entry, timing and wind correction.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Pick the entry (direct, teardrop or parallel) based on your heading to the fix.
- Slow to holding speed within 3 minutes of the fix. Max holding speeds (AIM 5-3-8): 200 KIAS at or below 6,000 ft MSL, 230 KIAS from 6,001–14,000 ft.
- Fly 1-minute inbound legs at or below 14,000 ft MSL; adjust outbound timing for wind.
- Triple the wind correction angle on the outbound leg.
- Hold within ±100 ft, ±10 knots, ±10°, and ¾-scale CDI on the course.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C)Task IR.III.B · Holding Procedures
- Use an entry procedure appropriate for a standard, nonstandard, published, or non-published holding pattern.
- Change to the holding airspeed appropriate for the altitude when 3 minutes or less from, but prior to arriving at, the holding fix and set appropriate power as needed for fuel conservation.
- Recognize arrival at the holding fix and promptly initiate entry into the holding pattern.
- Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, selected headings within ±10°, and track a selected course, radial, or bearing within ¾-scale deflection of the course deviation indicator (CDI).
- Use proper wind correction procedures to maintain the desired pattern and to arrive over the fix as close as possible to a specified time.
- Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position in relation to the desired flightpath during holding.
- Comply with ATC reporting requirements and restrictions associated with the holding pattern.
- Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Draw holds on paper and practice choosing entries.
- Memorize the max holding speeds.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the wrong entry.
- Not correcting outbound timing for wind.
Questions to ask your instructor
- Will we practice non-published holds?
- How do you like to figure entries quickly?
Check yourself
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