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4/20/23 

AIM 

airspace. It is acceptable to allow RNAV systems to determine a recommended holding speed 

that is at or below 

the maximum holding speed. 

[c] 

Helicopter holding is based on a minimum airspeed of 90 KIAS. 

(2) 

Advise ATC immediately if unable to comply with the maximum holding airspeed and request an 

alternate clearance. 

NOTE

 

Speeds above the maximum or published holding speed may be necessary due to turbulence, icing, etc. Exceeding maximum 

holding airspeed may result in aircraft excursions beyond the holding pattern protected airspace. In a non

radar 

environment, the pilot should advise ATC that they cannot accept the assigned hold. 

(3) 

Ensure the RNAV system applies the proper time and speed restrictions to a holding pattern. This 

is especially critical when climbing or descending to a holding pattern altitude where time and speed restrictions 

are different than at the present aircraft altitude. 

(b) 

Bank Angle. For holding not involving the use of RNAV lateral guidance, make all turns during entry 

and while holding at: 

(1) 

3 degrees per second, or 

(2) 

30 degree bank angle, or 

(3) 

25 degree bank angle, provided a flight director system is used. 

NOTE

 

Use whichever requires the least bank angle. 

(4) 

When using RNAV lateral guidance to conduct holding, it is acceptable to permit the RNAV system 

to calculate the appropriate bank angle for the outbound and inbound turns. Do not use flight guidance system 

bank angle limiting functions of less than 25 degrees unless the feature is not pilot

selectable, required by the 

aircraft limitations, or its use is necessary to comply with the aircraft’s minimum maneuvering speed margins. 

If the bank angle must be limited to less than 25 degrees, advise ATC that additional area for holding is required. 

(c) 

Compensate for wind effect primarily by drift correction on the inbound and outbound legs. When 

outbound, triple the inbound drift correction to avoid major turning adjustments; for example, if correcting left 

by 8 degrees when inbound, correct right by 24 degrees when outbound. 

(d) 

Determine entry turn from aircraft heading upon arrival at the holding fix; 

+

/

 5 degrees in heading 

is considered to be within allowable good operating limits for determining entry. When using RNAV lateral 

guidance for holding, it is permissible to allow the system to compute the holding entry. 

(e) 

RNAV lateral guidance may execute a fly

by turn beginning at an excessively large distance from the 

holding fix. Reducing speed to the maximum holding speed at least 3 minutes prior to reaching the holding fix 

and using the recommended 25 degree bank angle will reduce potential excursions beyond protected airspace. 

(f) 

When RNAV guidance is used for holding, pilots should be prepared to intervene if the turn from 

outbound leg to the inbound leg does not begin within a reasonable distance of the charted leg length, especially 

when holding is used as a course reversal HILPT. Pilot intervention is not required when holding in an 

ATC

assigned holding pattern that is not charted. However, notify ATC when the outbound leg length becomes 

excessive when RNAV guidance is used for holding. 

k. 

When holding at a fix and instructions are received specifying the time of departure from the fix, the pilot 

should adjust the aircraft’s flight path within the limits of the established holding pattern in order to leave the 

fix at the exact time specified. After departing the holding fix, normal speed is to be resumed with respect to other 

governing speed requirements, such as terminal area speed limits, specific ATC requests, etc. Where the fix is 

associated with an instrument approach and timed approaches are in effect, a procedure turn must not be executed 

unless the pilot advises ATC, since aircraft holding are expected to proceed inbound on final approach directly 

from the holding pattern when approach clearance is received. 

En Route Procedures 

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