FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Navigation SystemsEasy
ATC issues holding instructions that include the phrase 'standard' turns. What does this instruct the pilot to do?
- AFly the holding pattern using right turns
- BFly the holding pattern using left turns
- CFly the holding pattern using a 1-minute inbound leg regardless of altitude
- DFly the holding pattern at 250 knots maximum
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Fly the holding pattern using right turns
A 'standard' holding pattern uses right turns. Any holding pattern requiring left turns must be specifically stated as 'nonstandard' by ATC or depicted on the chart.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Left turns are nonstandard and must be explicitly stated.
- C. Leg length (1 or 1.5 minutes) depends on altitude, not implied by 'standard.'
- D. Holding speed limits depend on altitude and aircraft category, not the term 'standard.'
Standard Holding Pattern
A holding pattern using right-hand turns; any pattern using left turns is nonstandard and must be specified.
- Standard = right turns
- Nonstandard must be charted or issued by ATC
- Leg timing: 1 min below 14,000 ft, 1.5 min above
Memory trick: 'Standard stays to the right.'