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AIM 

6/17/21 

outbound turns. An aircraft’s flight guidance system 
may use reduced bank angles for all turns including 
turns in holding, especially at higher altitudes, that 
may result in exceeding holding protected airspace. 
Use of a shallower bank angle will expand both the 
width and length of the aircraft track, especially as 
wind speed increases. If the flight guidance system’s 
bank angle limit feature is pilot

selectable, a 

minimum 25 degree bank angle should be selected 
regardless of altitude unless aircraft operating 
limitations specify otherwise and the pilot advises 
ATC. 

(4) 

Where a holding distance is published, 

the turn from the outbound leg begins at the published 
distance from the holding fix, thus establishing the 

design turn point required to remain within protected 
airspace. RNAV systems apply a database coded or 
pilot

entered leg distance as a maximum length of the 

inbound

 leg to the holding fix. The RNAV system 

then calculates a turn point from the outbound leg 
required to achieve this inbound leg length. This often 
results in an RNAV

calculated turn point on the 

outbound leg beyond the design turn point. (See 
FIG 5

3

8). With a strong headwind against the 

outbound leg, RNAV systems may fly up to and 
possibly beyond the limits of protected airspace 
before turning inbound. (See FIG 5

3

9.) This is 

especially true at higher altitudes where wind speeds 
are greater and ground speed results in a wider 
holding pattern. 

FIG 5

3

RNAV Lateral Guidance and Holding – No Wind 

FIG 5

3

RNAV Lateral Guidance and Holding – Effect of Wind 

En Route Procedures

5

3

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