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How long should the inbound leg on the holding pattern be?
[Aeronautical Information Manual §5-3-8 ¶4] The initial inbound leg should be flown for 1 minute (at or below 14,000 feet MSL) or 1-1/2 minutes (above 14,000 feet MSL). Timing for subsequent outbound legs should be adjusted, as necessary, to achieve proper inbound leg time.
When should you take your time on the outbound leg of a holding pattern?
The initial outbound leg should be flown for 1 minute or 11/2 minutes (appropriate to altitude). Timing for subsequent outbound legs should be adjusted, as necessary, to achieve proper inbound leg time.
Do I need to fly the entire 4 nm of a GPS approach holding pattern?
Controllers shall always issue complete holding instructions when pilots request them. If the question is “do you have to fly the full distance indicated in the hold?”, the answer is no.
How long should the outbound leg of a flight be?
NOTE- The initial outbound leg should be flown for 1 minute or 1 1/2 minutes (appropriate to altitude). Timing for subsequent outbound legs should be adjusted, as necessary, to achieve proper inbound leg time. Pilots may use any navigational means available; i.e., DME, RNAV, etc., to ensure the appropriate inbound leg times.
Is the pilot expected to fly the hold?
Yes, the pilot is expected to fly the hold as depicted, with an outbound leg based on distance (see AIM 5-3-7, paragraph b). Most holds depicted on GPS instrument approaches in the US now have a specified distance for the outbound hold leg, instead of a timed leg.
When is the end of the outbound leg of the holding pattern?
The end of the outbound leg of the holding pattern is reached when the ATD reads the specified distance. The holds found on GPS approaches will generally be distance based. The AIM states that some might still be time based, but I am no longer aware of any such holds in actuality.
How is the distance of a hold determined?
Most holds depicted on GPS instrument approaches in the US now have a specified distance for the outbound hold leg, instead of a timed leg. The traditional hold leg distance is determined by timing. See AIM 5-3-7 § j. 4.: 4. Timing. (a) Inbound Leg. (1) At or below 14,000 feet MSL: 1 minute. (2) Above 14,000 feet MSL: 11/2 minutes.