User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado
147
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A standard holding pattern looks like an oval racetrack anchored at a holding fix (a VOR,
nondirectional radio beacon (NDB), or intersection), as shown in Figure 4. The two straight legs are
called the inbound and outbound legs. In a standard holding pattern, you make all turns to the right
(non-standard patterns therefore have left turns). All turns should be at standard rate. How long are
the legs of the pattern? Long enough so that flying the inbound leg will take about one minute. Wind
will affect the leg length—so if there’s wind, you need to adjust the length of the outbound leg so the
next inbound leg will take a minute.
Actually flying a holding pattern is pretty
easy, but figuring out how to enter one is
something most pilots dread. To keep
airplanes within protected airspace, the
FAA recommends specific entry methods.
Which entry method to use depends on
your heading when you initially cross the
holding fix.
Direct Entry
Use a direct entry (as shown in Figure 5)
when approaching the holding fix in the
same direction as the inbound leg. Fly to
the fix and turn right (standard holding
pattern) or left (non-standard holding
pattern), and proceed with the holding
pattern.
Parallel Entry
Use a parallel entry (as shown in Figure
6) when approaching the holding fix in
the opposite direction as the inbound leg,
and ending up outside the racetrack after
crossing the fix. Turn to parallel the
inbound course, fly outbound for one
minute, then turn toward the racetrack to
intercept the inbound course. Return to
the fix and proceed with the holding
pattern.
Figure 5
Figure 6