FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresMedium
An aircraft without DME is holding at 16,000 feet MSL in a published holding pattern with no charted leg length. What should the outbound leg timing be?
- A1 minute 30 seconds
- B3 minutes
- C1 minute
- D2 minutes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 1 minute 30 seconds
Per the AIM, standard holding pattern leg timing is 1 minute at or below 14,000 feet MSL and 1 minute 30 seconds above 14,000 feet MSL, unless otherwise depicted or assigned.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 3 minutes is not a standard holding leg length.
- C. 1 minute applies only at or below 14,000 feet MSL.
- D. 2 minutes is not a standard holding leg length.
Holding Pattern Leg Timing
Standard holding pattern outbound leg timing depends on altitude: 1 minute at or below 14,000 feet MSL, 1 minute 30 seconds above 14,000 feet MSL, unless DME or a charted distance is used.
- 1 min outbound below/at 14,000 ft MSL
- 1.5 min outbound above 14,000 ft MSL
- DME holds use distance instead of time
Memory trick: Higher altitude, longer leg — 14 is the tipping point