For altitudes at or above 14,000 feet, what is the standard holding time?

For altitudes at or above 14,000 feet, what is the standard holding time?

• A. 1 minute
• B. 2 minutes
• C. 3 minutes
• D. 1.5 minutes

Answer: (D)

In holds, the length of the outbound leg is tied to altitude to keep spacing predictable. For standard holds, you fly a one-minute outbound leg when you’re at or below 14,000 feet, and you extend that outbound leg to one and a half minutes when you’re at or above 14,000 feet. This longer leg above 14,000 feet helps account for higher speeds and winds aloft, giving you enough time to turn back and re-intercept the inbound course accurately. The inbound leg timing isn’t fixed; you simply fly the inbound course back to the fix and re-enter the hold. So at or above 14,000 feet, the standard holding time is one and a half minutes.

In holds, the length of the outbound leg is tied to altitude to keep spacing predictable. For standard holds, you fly a one-minute outbound leg when you’re at or below 14,000 feet, and you extend that outbound leg to one and a half minutes when you’re at or above 14,000 feet. This longer leg above 14,000 feet helps account for higher speeds and winds aloft, giving you enough time to turn back and re-intercept the inbound course accurately. The inbound leg timing isn’t fixed; you simply fly the inbound course back to the fix and re-enter the hold.

So at or above 14,000 feet, the standard holding time is one and a half minutes.