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Holding Patterns

Asked by: 1113 views ,
Airspace, FAA Regulations, General Aviation

In holding patterns 14000ft is defined as the the datum above which the aircraft will decrease the standard rate turn to 2° per second instead of 3° per second to avoid stall and increase the time to 90s instead of 60s. I want to know why is the altitude 14000ft ? What is the significance of 14000ft ? The density decreases with increase in altitude so it could be any altitude. Why 14000ft ? 

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2 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Nov 10, 2022

    I don’t know if there’s an actual answer in this specific case, but in many, many areas of regulations (aviation and otherwise), there is NOT a specific answer to “why” some number instead of some other number, and overthinking it trying to learn “why” doesn’t always result in an answer.

    For example, passenger currency requires 3 landings. Why 3? Why not 5? Or 2? Instrument currency requires 6 approaches. Why not 5? Or 12? Why in the U.S. are type ratings required for airplanes weighing more than 12,500 pounds and not 12000 or 13000?

    Sometimes there is a real, scientific answer. But in many, many areas, someone had to just pick a number. Why is it 14000 feet and not 13000 or 15000? I don’t know that you’ll find an exact answer to that.

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  2. mjc123 on Dec 18, 2022

    The altitude of 14,000 feet is used as a reference point for the standard rate turn in holding patterns because it represents a typical cruising altitude for many aircraft. At this altitude, the air is thin enough that the aircraft may be more susceptible to stalling, particularly if it is turning at a steep bank angle.

    To help prevent stalling in holding patterns, the FAA has established a standard rate turn that specifies a bank angle of 3° per second for turns at altitudes below 14,000 feet. At altitudes above 14,000 feet, the standard rate turn is reduced to 2° per second to help reduce the risk of stall. This helps to ensure that the aircraft remains in controlled flight while in the holding pattern.

    The length of the holding pattern is also adjusted based on the altitude, with longer holding patterns required at higher altitudes to allow for the reduced rate of turn. At altitudes above 14,000 feet, the holding pattern is typically 90 seconds long, compared to 60 seconds at lower altitudes

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