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5 Answers

Holding distances shorter than published ATD/DME

Asked by: 3907 views ,
FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

If the published holding distance is 5 miles, can you do 3 mile legs? Or is there any case when you can turn in earlier than the published distance?

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5 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    John D Collins on Mar 21, 2015

    Unless ATC clears you fly a specific distance, the charted distance is a maximum and you may fly any leg length up to the maximum. This is covered in the AIM in a section on Holds in Lieu of a Procedure Turn, 5-4-9. The following is the current wording, it has evolved over the last many years:

    For a hold−in−lieu−of−PT, the holding pattern direction must be flown as depicted and the specified leg length/timing must not be exceeded.

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  2. Drew on Mar 21, 2015

    So, it only applies to HILO-PTs. If it was a published hold on an airway that was not used as a HILO-PT, you must fly exactly that restriction.

    Thank you, John.

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  3. John D Collins on Mar 21, 2015

    No, it is the same, but the guidance has never been put into the AIM other than in the HILPT where the question comes up more often.

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  4. Mark Kolber on Mar 22, 2015

    There is a Chief Counsel opinion that treats hold distances as a maximum, unless ATC specifies a specific distance.http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/pol_adjudication/agc200/interpretations/data/interps/2011/young-hhc%20-%20(2011)%20legal%20interpretation.pdf

    There are 5 questions discussed. The holding distance is the last one.

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  5. Mark Kolber on Mar 22, 2015

    Btw, personally, I have enough concerns that the distance may be used by ATC for separation purposes, that I prefer to advise ATC that I will be shortening it.

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