Figure 7-1. Holding Side of the Fix

INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES WORKBOOK

CHAPTER SEVEN

Abeam

Outbound 090

Holding Side

of the Fix

Inbound 270

Holding

R-090

Course

Nonholding

Holding Fix

Side of the Fix

Figure 7-1 Holding Side of the Fix

NOTE

You always hold to the Fix identified in the holding clearance.

The standard no-wind length of the legs of the holding pattern (except TACAN holding) is one

minute at or below 14,000 feet and 1 minutes above 14,000 feet. The length of the legs while

using TACAN is specified in nautical miles.

The inbound holding course is the course to the holding fix, while in the holding pattern. The

outbound heading is the reciprocal of the inbound holding course. It should be noted that the

holding side is the side of the holding pattern on which the turns are made.

ATC should issue holding instructions to you at least five minutes before you reach a clearance

limit fix. If instructions are not received within three minutes of reaching the fix, reduce

airspeed so as to cross the fix at or below the maximum holding airspeed. If holding instructions

have not been received upon arrival at an enroute fix, hold in accordance with the depicted

holding pattern. In the absence of a depicted pattern, hold in a standard pattern inbound to the

fix on the course the aircraft approached the enroute fix.

In the terminal phase, if it is necessary to hold at the initial approach fix and no holding pattern is

depicted on the appropriate approach plate, holding will be accomplished in a holding pattern on

the final approach course inbound to the initial approach fix (IAF) making turns on the

procedure turn side (Figures 7-2 and 7-3).

HOLDING 7-3