Instrument rating · ACS IR.III.B
Holding Procedures
A hold keeps you over a fix while ATC sorts out traffic or the weather improves. This lesson covers entries, timing, wind and the fuel decision.
Why this one matters
Holding is where weather and fuel meet. A hold that was meant to last 10 minutes can stretch to 40 as the destination gets worse, and the pilot who keeps circling hoping it improves can end up with no fuel for the alternate. Holding well is half the task; knowing when to stop holding is the other half.
Can’t miss
- •A standard hold turns right; a non-standard hold turns left. A holding clearance gives the direction to hold from the fix (one of eight compass points), the fix, the radial, course or airway, the leg length in miles for a DME or RNAV hold (or minutes if not standard), left turns if non-standard, and an EFC time.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- •Recommended entries: direct, parallel or teardrop, chosen by your heading to the fix relative to the holding course (the 70° line).(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- •Inbound legs are 1 minute at or below 14,000 feet MSL (1½ minutes above), unless a distance is given. Start outbound timing over or abeam the fix, whichever is later (or when the outbound turn is complete if you can't tell abeam), and adjust the outbound leg so the inbound one comes out right. In a DME or RNAV hold the legs are distances, not times.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- •Maximum holding speed: 200 KIAS up to 6,000 feet MSL, 230 KIAS from 6,001 to 14,000, 265 KIAS above, unless charted otherwise.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- •Slow to holding speed within 3 minutes of the fix.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- •Wind: find the inbound correction, then apply about three times that correction outbound, to the opposite side of the course (into the wind).(Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B))
- •Report the time and altitude reaching the holding fix and when leaving it. Recompute fuel against the EFC.(AIM 5-3-3)
What you should know
The pattern and the entry K1 · R4
- Read the clearance: "Hold northeast of the ABC VOR on the 040 radial, left turns, expect further clearance 1530."(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- Picture the hold, then pick the entry. Direct: at the fix, turn in the holding direction and fly the pattern. Parallel: at the fix, turn to the outbound heading on the non-holding side for 1 minute, then turn more than 180° toward the holding side to intercept the inbound course or return to the fix. Teardrop: at the fix, turn to a heading 30° off the outbound course toward the holding side for 1 minute, then turn in the holding direction to intercept inbound. Each keeps you in protected airspace.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- Start outbound timing over or abeam the fix, whichever is later; if you can’t tell when you’re abeam, start when the outbound turn is complete.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- Use the MFD or GPS track to see the pattern drawn, but fly the course and timing.(Advanced Avionics Handbook (FAA-H-8083-6))
Wind, speed and timing R4
- Correct drift inbound, then triple the correction outbound, applied to the opposite side of the course. Adjust outbound time so the inbound leg comes out at 1 minute.(Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B))
- Turns: 3° per second, 30° of bank, or 25° with a flight director, whichever needs the least bank. An RNAV system that limits bank below 25° may not stay in protected airspace: tell ATC. Fly a steady holding speed for fuel economy.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
Fuel, weather and when to leave R1 · R2 · R3
- Holding usually comes from weather or traffic at the destination. Ask early for the reason and the expected delay.(AIM 5-3-8, Holding)
- When you get an EFC, recompute fuel: holding until the EFC, the approach, a missed approach and the alternate, plus reserve. The EFC is also your lost-communications plan: if the clearance limit is a fix where an approach begins, start the approach as close as possible to the EFC (or your ETA if none); if it isn't, leave it at the EFC (or on arrival if none), go to the approach fix and start as close as possible to your ETA.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A); 14 CFR 91.185(c)(3))
- "Minimum fuel" is only an advisory: it gets no priority. If you can’t accept any more delay, declare an emergency and report your fuel in minutes.(AIM 5-5-15)
- If the hold leaves you without enough fuel for the alternate, leave now.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))
On the flight
ACS standards
- Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, selected headings within ±10°, and track a course, radial or bearing within ¾-scale CDI deflection.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.III.B.S4)
- Change to holding airspeed within 3 minutes of, but before reaching, the holding fix.(Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C), IR.III.B.S2)
What your instructor is watching for
Your instructor watches for the right entry, slowing in time, wind correction that gets better each lap, the reports, and a fuel check after the EFC.
Scenarios
Decide what you would do first, then see the worked answer.
Inbound, the course is good with a 10° right correction (the wind is from the right).
What heading correction do you use outbound? See the worked answer
About 30° left of the outbound course, into the same wind, then adjust.
Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B)
Your inbound leg is taking 1 minute 20 seconds.
What do you change? See the worked answer
Shorten the outbound leg by about 20 seconds.
AIM 5-3-8, Holding
You’re approaching your clearance limit and ATC hasn’t issued holding instructions or a further clearance.
What do you do? See the worked answer
Ask for instructions before reaching the fix. Only if you can’t get them, hold at the clearance limit as published, or if none is published, on the course you arrived on with right turns, and keep trying.
AIM 5-3-8, Holding
Common mistakes
Slowing too late.
You overshoot the protected airspace.
Instead: Slow within 3 minutes of the fix.
Same correction outbound, or the wrong side.
The pattern drifts.
Instead: Triple it outbound, into the wind.
Holding without a fuel plan.
Hope eats the alternate fuel.
Instead: Recompute fuel when you get an EFC.
Now train it
Say it out loud, hear it asked, and take the quick check in this lesson’s practice pack. It tracks your shaky spots.
Got it?
When it feels solid, practice holding procedures out loud with our examiner.
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Go to the source (free)
Teaching this? The instructor lesson plan →
Sources
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): Chapters 4, 5 and 6
- Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16B): Departures; en route
- Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B): IFR flight; holding
- 14 CFR: 91.3, 91.123, 91.183, 91.185
- Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C): Area III
Study aid, not FAA guidance. Regulations change; check the current text at eCFR and the ACS. Checked against current sources 2026-11-13.