IFR Holding Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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.
IFR Holding Procedures 2
A parallel entry into a holding pattern is appropriate when the aircraft approaches from which sector?