AIM 

4/20/23 

FIG 5

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4

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19 

Timed Approaches from a Holding Fix 

ONE MINUTE 
FLYING TIME 

APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES 

12:03 CLEARANCE RECEIVED 

:04 INITIAL TIME 

OVER FIX 

1000 FT. 

1000 FT. 

1000 FT. 

1000 FT. 

:06 1/2 

:07  REPORT 

LEAVING FINAL 
APPROACH TIME 

:05 1/2 

:05 

30 SEC. 

REPORT LEAVING 
PREVIOUS ALTITUDE FOR 
NEW ASSIGNED ALTITUDE 

LMM

LOM 

AIRPORT 

EXAMPLE

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At 12:03 local time, in the example shown, a pilot holding, receives instructions to leave the fix inbound at 12:07. These 

instructions are received just as the pilot has completed turn at the outbound end of the holding pattern and is proceeding 

inbound towards the fix. Arriving back over the fix, the pilot notes that the time is 12:04 and that there are 3 minutes to lose 

in order to leave the fix at the assigned time. Since the time remaining is more than two minutes, the pilot plans to fly a race 

track pattern rather than a 360 degree turn, which would use up 2 minutes. The turns at the ends of the race track pattern 

will consume approximately 2 minutes. Three minutes to go, minus 2 minutes required for the turns, leaves 1 minute for level 

flight. Since two portions of level flight will be required to get back to the fix inbound, the pilot halves the 1 minute remaining 

Arrival Procedures

5

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4

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36