IFR Holding Procedures — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the standard turn direction in a holding pattern?

Left turns
Right turns (Correct answer)
Either direction as published
Determined by the pilot in command

Correct answer: Right turns

Standard holding patterns use right turns unless the procedure specifies otherwise.

Question 2: What are the three types of holding pattern entries recognized by the FAA?

Direct, Parallel, and Teardrop (Correct answer)
Straight-in, Circling, and Overhead
Left, Right, and Straight
Initial, Intermediate, and Final

Correct answer: Direct, Parallel, and Teardrop

The FAA recognizes Direct, Parallel, and Teardrop entries, each used based on the aircraft's heading relative to the holding course.

Question 3: How long is the inbound leg of a holding pattern when flying at or below 14,000 feet MSL?

30 seconds
1 minute (Correct answer)
1.5 minutes
2 minutes

Correct answer: 1 minute

At or below 14,000 feet MSL, the inbound leg of a standard holding pattern is 1 minute in duration.

Question 4: What does the abbreviation EFC stand for in IFR holding operations?

Expected Further Clearance (Correct answer)
Estimated Flight Continuation
En-route Flight Control
Emergency Fuel Calculation

Correct answer: Expected Further Clearance

EFC stands for Expected Further Clearance, the time at which a pilot can expect ATC to issue a clearance to proceed beyond the holding fix.

Question 5: What is the maximum holding airspeed for aircraft at or below 6,000 feet MSL?

175 knots
200 knots (Correct answer)
210 knots
230 knots

Correct answer: 200 knots

The FAA specifies a maximum holding airspeed of 200 knots indicated airspeed at or below 6,000 feet MSL.

Question 6: When flying a holding pattern above 14,000 feet MSL, what is the standard inbound leg timing?

1 minute
1.5 minutes (Correct answer)
2 minutes
2.5 minutes

Correct answer: 1.5 minutes

Above 14,000 feet MSL, the standard inbound leg is 1.5 minutes to accommodate higher true airspeeds and larger turning radii.

Question 7: On which side of the inbound holding course does a standard holding pattern exist?

Left side
Right side (Correct answer)
Either side depending on winds
Either side as charted

Correct answer: Right side

In a standard holding pattern, the racetrack pattern lies on the right side of the inbound holding course, consistent with right turns.

Question 8: A parallel entry into a holding pattern is appropriate when the aircraft approaches from which sector?

Holding side, within 70 degrees of the inbound course
Non-holding side, between 110 and 180 degrees from the inbound course (Correct answer)
Directly along the inbound course from the non-holding side
Within 30 degrees of the outbound holding course

Correct answer: Non-holding side, between 110 and 180 degrees from the inbound course

A parallel entry is used when the aircraft arrives from the non-holding side of the pattern, between 110 and 180 degrees from the inbound holding course.

Question 9: What is the correct procedure for executing a teardrop entry into a holding pattern?

Fly to the fix and turn directly to the outbound heading
Fly parallel to the inbound course outbound, then turn to intercept
Fly to the fix, turn outbound at 30 degrees off the holding course on the non-holding side, then turn inbound (Correct answer)
Fly directly to the fix and begin circling immediately

Correct answer: Fly to the fix, turn outbound at 30 degrees off the holding course on the non-holding side, then turn inbound

In a teardrop entry, the pilot flies to the fix, turns outbound at approximately 30 degrees into the non-holding side, then turns back to intercept the inbound course.

Question 10: What is the maximum holding airspeed for aircraft operating between 6,001 and 14,000 feet MSL?

200 knots
210 knots
230 knots (Correct answer)
265 knots

Correct answer: 230 knots

Between 6,001 and 14,000 feet MSL, the maximum holding airspeed is 230 knots indicated airspeed.

Question 11: When must a pilot report entering a holding pattern to ATC?

Always, immediately upon crossing the fix
Only when the hold was not anticipated
When ATC has not informed the pilot that the aircraft is in radar contact (Correct answer)
Only when holding at an enroute fix above 10,000 feet

Correct answer: When ATC has not informed the pilot that the aircraft is in radar contact

A pilot must report entering the holding pattern when not in radar contact, since ATC needs position information to manage traffic separation.

Question 12: If a non-standard holding pattern is assigned by ATC, what is the primary difference from a standard pattern?

The inbound leg timing is always 2 minutes
Left turns are used instead of right turns (Correct answer)
The fix must be a VOR station
DME arcs replace straight legs

Correct answer: Left turns are used instead of right turns

Non-standard holding patterns use left turns, which is the defining characteristic that distinguishes them from standard right-turn holding patterns.

Question 13: When ATC issues a holding clearance, which of the following elements is NOT required to be specified?

Direction of holding from the fix
Leg length in time or distance
Inbound holding course
Expected approach type after holding (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Expected approach type after holding

ATC is not required to specify the expected approach type when issuing a holding clearance — the clearance must include fix, direction, inbound course, and turn direction.

Question 14: Which instrument is primarily used when a holding pattern specifies leg length in nautical miles rather than time?

GPS groundspeed readout
DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) (Correct answer)
RNAV computed distance
VOR needle deflection

Correct answer: DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)

When leg length is specified in miles rather than time, DME is used to define the outbound leg, keeping the pattern size consistent regardless of airspeed.

Question 15: When ATC instructs a pilot to 'hold as published,' where should the pilot find the holding pattern details?

In the FAR/AIM index
On the instrument approach procedure chart for that fix (Correct answer)
In the current ATIS broadcast
In the En-Route Low Altitude chart legend

Correct answer: On the instrument approach procedure chart for that fix

'Hold as published' refers to the holding pattern depicted on the instrument approach procedure chart associated with that specific fix.

Question 16: How should a pilot correct for wind drift during the outbound leg of a holding pattern?

Apply double the wind correction angle used on the inbound leg
Apply triple the wind correction angle used on the inbound leg (Correct answer)
Use no wind correction on the outbound leg
Apply the same correction angle as on the inbound leg

Correct answer: Apply triple the wind correction angle used on the inbound leg

Pilots apply triple the inbound wind correction angle on the outbound leg to compensate for wind and keep the inbound course properly centered.

Question 17: Under lost communications procedures per FAR 91.185, when should a pilot leave a holding fix if an EFC time was received before communications were lost?

Immediately after completing one full holding circuit
At the EFC time that was received before communications were lost (Correct answer)
30 minutes after reaching the holding fix
At the filed estimated time of arrival at the fix

Correct answer: At the EFC time that was received before communications were lost

FAR 91.185 states that under lost communications, a pilot should leave the holding fix at the EFC time received before contact was lost.

Question 18: What is the primary advantage of an RNAV holding pattern compared to a conventional VOR-based hold?

RNAV holds always require left turns for safety
The fix can be any database waypoint, not just a ground-based navaid (Correct answer)
Inbound timing is always 1.5 minutes regardless of altitude
Speed limits are relaxed for RNAV-equipped aircraft

Correct answer: The fix can be any database waypoint, not just a ground-based navaid

RNAV holding patterns can be defined at any waypoint in the navigation database, providing flexibility at locations without ground-based navaids.

Question 19: A pilot in holding reaches a critical fuel state before the EFC time arrives. What is the correct course of action?

Continue holding until the EFC time, then proceed to the alternate
Immediately declare an emergency and divert without notifying ATC
Notify ATC of the fuel state and request priority handling or an immediate clearance (Correct answer)
Leave the hold and proceed to the nearest airport without contacting ATC

Correct answer: Notify ATC of the fuel state and request priority handling or an immediate clearance

When reaching a critical fuel state in holding, the pilot must immediately notify ATC and request priority handling, as proactive communication may resolve the situation before a full emergency declaration is necessary.

Question 20: What is the maximum holding airspeed for civil turbine aircraft above 14,000 feet MSL?

230 knots
250 knots
265 knots (Correct answer)
310 knots

Correct answer: 265 knots

Above 14,000 feet MSL, the maximum holding airspeed for civil turbine aircraft is 265 knots indicated airspeed.

Question 21: If a pilot receives a holding clearance with the instruction 'left turns,' what type of holding pattern has been assigned?

Standard holding pattern with a shortened inbound leg
Non-standard holding pattern requiring left turns throughout (Correct answer)
Standard holding pattern with wind correction applied
DME-based holding pattern on an ILS

Correct answer: Non-standard holding pattern requiring left turns throughout

An instruction for 'left turns' in a holding clearance designates a non-standard holding pattern, since standard patterns use right turns.

IFR Holding Procedures

What is the standard turn direction in a holding pattern?

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Sources & references

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