Air Dorrin - Holding Procedures

FROM THE PTS

TASK: HOLDING PROCEDURES REFERENCES: 14 CFR parts 61, 91; FAA-H-8083-15; AIM.

Objective. To determine that the applicant:

Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements related to holding procedures.
Changes to the holding airspeed appropriate for the altitude or aircraft when 3 minutes or less from, but prior to arriving at, the holding fix.
Explains and uses an entry procedure that ensures the aircraft remains within the holding pattern airspace for a standard, nonstandard, published, or nonpublished holding pattern.
Recognizes arrival at the holding fix and initiates prompt entry into the holding pattern.
Complies with ATC reporting requirements.
Uses the proper timing criteria, where applicable, as required by altitude or ATC instructions.
Complies with pattern leg lengths when a DME distance is specified.
Uses proper wind correction procedures to maintain the desired pattern and to arrive over the fix as close as possible to a specified time.
Maintains the airspeed within +/-10 knots; altitude within +/-100 feet; headings within +/-10°; and tracks a selected course, radial or bearing within ¾ scale deflection of the CDI.

Visualizing the Entry - an epithany

I read in the Jeppesen Instrument/Commercial Manual a description of how I actually have been deciding my entries in the real world. I also found the pix and additional insights on Dauntless.com / freebies.For your IFR checkride, you will need to know the correct entry procedure for a given hold. However, as a matter of course, the correct entry procedure is pretty much always the one where you need to turn least at the holding fix to smoothly enter the racetrack pattern. This method does not specify a hard and fast rule for choosing the entry, but relies on a) your visualization of the entire picture and b) your overall knowledge of entries to help you decide on an entry.

First a few definitions:

Standard Holding Patterns use right hand turns and 1 minute inbound legs
While entering and maintaining the hold; PTS calls for 3/4 CDI deviation maximum
Holding Fix is the intersection, VOR, NDB, or radial/distance pair
Holding Course is defined as the course flown on the inbound leg to the Holding Fix
And now for the magic formula: As you are flying toward the Holding Fix, consider where the Holding Course line lies in relation to the where the aircraft will be after you pass the Holding Fix.

If the Holding Course lies....

BEHIND the aircraft: use the DIRECT ENTRY
RIGHT the aircraft: use the TEARDROP ENTRY
LEFT the aircraft: use the PARALLEL ENTRY

Pencil Method

Place said pencil horizontal on HSI.
For a right hand hold, rotate right hand side of pencil up 30 degrees.
Once you've flicked the tail of pencil up depending on what direction the hold is in, find what sector the OUTBOUND HEADING of the hold lies in. The sectors are referenced to your current heading (ie straight ahead), and the corresponding sectors made by your pencil/pen.

If it falls in the big bit, make it a direct entry.
If it's in the larger of the two smaller sectors, then it's a Parallel
If it's in the smaller of the two smaller sectors, then it's a Teardrop.

Chair Practice (http://randomlight.blogspot.com/2008/03/pencil-flying-holding-patterns-practice.html)

Holding patterns -- just draw the holding pattern
Hold West ABB std turns
Hold North 030º ABB VOR std turns
Hold East ABC VOR
Hold West ABC VOR non-std
Hold N ABC VOR std
Hold SE ABC 2 mi. legs
Hold South ABC
Hold NE 300º ABC VOR non-std turns
Hold SE ABC VOR 150º non-std turns
Hold SW ABC VOR 230º
Hold W ABC VOR 285) non-std
Draw holding pattern, label radials and headings, mark entrance areas (direct, parallel, teardrop), and draw teardrop.
Hold N ABC VOR, 360º radial
Hold E ABC VOR 090º, non-standard
HOld S ABC VOR 180º, 2 minute legs, non-standard
Hold W ABC VOR 270º std turns

fed 4/18/2008