FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Navigation SystemsHard
A pilot is approaching a holding fix and determines that the aircraft's heading upon arrival places it within the sector extending from the outbound holding course to 70° on the non-holding side of the extended inbound course. Which holding pattern entry procedure should the pilot use?
- ADirect entry
- BCross-track entry
- CTeardrop entry
- DParallel entry
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Parallel entry
The three holding entry sectors are divided relative to the inbound course: the sector spanning 70° on the non-holding side of the extended inbound course (adjacent to the outbound leg) corresponds to a parallel entry, in which the pilot flies parallel to the inbound course on the non-holding side before turning to intercept the inbound course.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Direct entry applies to the larger sector on the holding side that includes the inbound course itself.
- B. 'Cross-track entry' is not a recognized holding pattern entry procedure.
- C. Teardrop entry applies to the sector on the holding side bounded by a line 30° from the outbound course.
Holding Pattern Entries
Holding fix entries are categorized as direct, teardrop, or parallel based on the aircraft's arrival heading relative to the inbound holding course.
- Parallel entry: non-holding side, within 70° of outbound course
- Teardrop entry: holding side, within about 30° of inbound course reciprocal
- Direct entry: remaining larger sector including the inbound course itself
Memory trick: 'Parallel plays it safe on the outside, then turns back inside.'