Holding Pattern Entry

How to use it

1. Type the Inbound course (degrees): the course you fly towards the fix, for example 270 for west.
2. Choose the Pattern turns: right turns are standard; choose left only when the chart or air traffic control says so.
3. Type the Aircraft heading (degrees): the heading you fly towards the fix.
4. Read Entry procedure and the headings to fly, then look at the drawing: the strong sector is where the aircraft is.

The three entry procedures and their sectors

The AIM recommends three entries into a holding pattern, and the protected airspace is designed around them (AIM 5-3-8, Holding Pattern Entry Procedures). A line from the fix at 70 degrees to the outbound course, on the holding side, divides the sectors. The parallel entry covers 110 degrees on the holding side; the teardrop entry covers 70 degrees on the nonholding side; the direct entry covers the other 180 degrees.

The sector is read from the bearing of the aircraft from the fix, which is the heading toward the fix plus 180 degrees. The aircraft is taken to fly straight to the fix. The widths are read from the AIM figure of the entry procedures.

bearing from the fix = heading + 180°
relative bearing = bearing from the fix − inbound course (for right turns)
0° to 110°: parallel;  110° to 290°: direct;  290° to 360°: teardrop

• Parallel: fly to the fix, turn to the outbound course on the nonholding side for one minute, turn in the direction of the pattern through more than 180 degrees and return to the fix or intercept the inbound course.
• Teardrop: fly to the fix, turn outbound to a heading 30 degrees from the outbound course on the holding side for one minute, then turn in the direction of the pattern to intercept the inbound course.
• Direct: fly directly to the fix and turn to follow the pattern.

Standard and nonstandard patterns

The standard pattern uses right turns, and a nonstandard pattern uses left turns; the nonstandard pattern is oriented in relation to the 70 degree line on the holding side, just as the standard one is (AIM 5-3-8). The Instrument Flying Handbook gives the same rule (FAA-H-8083-15B, chapter 10, Holding Procedures). A charted pattern is flown as it is charted, unless the controller says otherwise.

• Timing: the outbound leg is flown for one minute at or below 14,000 ft MSL and for 1½ minutes above, according to the Instrument Flying Handbook.
• Maximum holding airspeed depends on the altitude: 200 kt up to 6,000 ft, 230 kt from 6,001 to 14,000 ft and 265 kt above 14,000 ft (AIM 5-3-8).

What this page does not cover

• The wind. The rule uses the heading toward the fix only; in a strong wind the pattern drifts, and the aircraft may need a different entry at the fix.
• The charted pattern and the controller's instructions, which come first, and the aircraft's own limits in the flight manual.
• The protected airspace and the obstacle clearance of the pattern: those are in the charts and the publications.
• This page is for training and planning practice, not for real flight.

Frequently asked questions