Instrument Flight
Flight Procedures
VOR Holding
The VOR holding clearance is essentially the same as that for TACAN/VOR DME except that VOR
holding will not include leg lengths. Unlike DME-based patterns, VOR patterns are located over the
station because there is no distance reference available to establish the holding fix (Figure 30).
The difference between VOR holding and TACAN/VOR DME holding is that instead of measuring leg
lengths with DME, you’ll have to time the legs. Leg times are 1-1/2 minutes above 14,000 ft MSL and
1 minute at 14,000 ft MSL and below. These times apply only to the initial outbound leg and all
subsequent inbound legs. You may have to adjust your outbound time (due to head wind or tailwind
components) to achieve the necessary inbound time. Outbound leg timing begins when you are abeam
the fix or when you roll wings level out of the turn, whichever occurs last.
Outbound Leg
Timed Turn Point
OUTBOUND 090
ABEAM
GENERAL HOLDING
INSTRUCTIONS
Hold East
Denver VOR
090 Radial
HOLDING SIDE
INBOUND 270 HOLDING COURSE
R-090
NONHOLDING SIDE
HOLDING FIX
(Denver VOR)
Figure 30: NON-DME HOLDING PATTERN
General Holding Procedures
The basic procedures for flying a holding pattern (Figure 30) are as follows: First, begin slowing to holding
airspeed no sooner than 3 minutes from the holding fix. Next, from your holding clearance, or published
holding procedure, determine the type of holding to be used. From your heading, determine the
appropriate entry procedure. Upon arrival at the holding fix, note the time and initiate the entry procedure.
If timing is used for the pattern vice DME, note the time wings level or abeam the holding fix, whichever
occurs last on the entry procedure heading outbound and on subsequent outbound orbits. Set inbound
holding course on the HSI display or the DEP. Turn inbound when the appropriate time outbound has
elapsed for the holding altitude and begin timing inbound wings level. All turns in holding are made at
3 degrees per second (standard rate) but do not exceed 30 degrees AOB. Communicate entering holding,
if required, once established in the pattern. On subsequent orbits, adjust heading and or timing as
required for winds to maintain a holding pattern track and time.
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