The three entry sectors
The Aeronautical Information Manual (5-3-8) names three entries and the sector each one is flown from. Draw the inbound course through the holding fix and a second line through the fix at 70° to the holding course, on the holding side. The two lines cut the area around the fix into three sectors, and the direction you arrive from decides the entry:
| Entry | Sector | Your heading, measured from the inbound course in the pattern's turn direction |
|---|---|---|
| Direct | 180° | 290° through 0° to 110° |
| Teardrop | 70° | 110° to 180° |
| Parallel | 110° | 180° to 290° |
With right turns, measure the angle clockwise: a heading 150° to the right of the inbound course is a teardrop entry. With left turns, the pattern and its sectors are a mirror image, so measure counterclockwise. The calculator does this for you and draws the sectors north up, with your arrival and the entry path.
Flying each entry
- Direct: fly to the fix and turn in the direction of the pattern to the outbound heading.
- Teardrop: at the fix, turn outbound to a heading 30° from the outbound course, inside the pattern on the holding side, for one minute; then turn in the direction of the pattern to intercept the inbound course.
- Parallel: at the fix, turn to parallel the holding course outbound on the nonholding side for one minute; then turn toward the holding side, through more than 180°, and return to the fix or intercept the inbound course.
Make all turns at 3° per second, a 30° bank, or a 25° bank with a flight director, whichever needs the least bank. The headings here are for no wind: correct the outbound heading for drift, and time the outbound leg so the inbound leg comes out at one minute.
Timing and speed
| Altitude (MSL) | Inbound leg | Maximum holding speed |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 6,000 ft | 1 minute | 200 KIAS |
| 6,001 to 14,000 ft | 1 minute | 230 KIAS |
| Above 14,000 ft | 1½ minutes | 265 KIAS |
Charted holds can carry a lower speed limit, such as 210 or 175 KIAS, shown with the pattern. Outbound timing begins over or abeam the fix, whichever occurs later; if the abeam position can't be determined, start timing when the turn to outbound is complete. Enter the holding altitude above and the calculator adds the leg time and speed limit.
Holding instructions
A clearance to hold at a fix that isn't charted gives the direction of holding from the fix (one of the eight compass points), the fix, the radial, course or airway to hold on, the leg length if DME or RNAV is used, left turns if they are nonstandard, and an expect-further-clearance time. "Hold west of the ABC VOR on the 270 radial" means the pattern lies west of the station on the 270 radial, so the inbound course is 090.
Sources
- FAA, Aeronautical Information Manual, 5-3-8, Holding: clearance items, entry procedures, timing, maximum holding airspeeds and bank angles.
- FAA, Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B), Figure 10-6, Holding pattern entry procedures: the sectors and the 70° line.
How to choose a holding pattern entry
- Find the inbound course: the course you will fly to the holding fix. Holding on a radial, it is the radial's reciprocal.
- Note the turn direction: right turns unless the clearance or chart says left.
- Compare your heading to the fix with the inbound course. With right turns, a heading between 70° left and 110° right of the inbound course is a direct entry.
- A heading 110° to 180° right of the inbound course is a teardrop entry; 180° to 290° is a parallel entry. With left turns, mirror it: measure to the left.
Questions pilots ask
What are the three holding pattern entries?
Direct, teardrop and parallel. They are the entries the FAA recommends in the Aeronautical Information Manual (5-3-8), and holding airspace is designed around them. Which one to fly depends on the direction you arrive at the fix from.
What is the 70-degree line?
A line through the holding fix at 70° to the holding course, on the holding side. With the inbound course, it divides the area around the fix into the three entry sectors: direct (180°), teardrop (70°) and parallel (110°).
How do you fly a teardrop entry?
Cross the fix, turn to a heading 30° from the outbound course toward the holding side, fly it for one minute (1½ above 14,000 feet), then turn in the direction of the pattern to intercept the inbound course.
How do you fly a parallel entry?
Cross the fix, turn to parallel the outbound course on the nonholding side for one minute, then turn toward the holding side through more than 180° to return to the fix or intercept the inbound course. With right turns, that turn back is to the left.
What if I'm right on the line between two sectors?
The calculator says when your heading is within 5° of a sector line. The AIM notes that other entries may keep you within protected airspace, but the direct, teardrop and parallel procedures are the ones it recommends.
How long are the legs in a holding pattern?
The inbound leg is 1 minute at or below 14,000 feet MSL and 1½ minutes above. Fly the first outbound leg for the same time, then adjust later outbound legs so the inbound leg comes out right. A DME or GPS hold uses distances instead of times.