Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

The Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with holding procedures solely by reference to instruments.

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan Introduction

  • Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Holding Pattern Fundamentals:
    0:15
    Part 3, Holding CLearances:
    0:20
    Part 4, Aircraft Holding Procedures:
    0:20
    Part 5, Risk Management:
    0:20
    Part 6, Aircraft Holding Procedures Practical Application:
    0:20
    Part 7, Aircraft Holding Procedures Guided Scenario(s):
    0:20
    Part 8, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research a mishap case study:
      • .
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
    • Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario

  • Motivator:

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan Materials

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Holding Pattern Fundamentals:
    • Introduce purpose of holding (delay, sequencing, clearance limit).
    • Explain protected airspace concept.
    • Introduce holding pattern components: Fix, Inbound leg, Outbound leg, Standard vs non-standard turns.
    • Discuss timing: 1-minute inbound (≤14,000’), 1.5-minute inbound (>14,000’).
  • Part 3, Holding Clearances:
    • Discuss elements: Fix, Direction, Course, Leg length, EFC time.
    • Provide sample clearances for students to depict on map.
    • State expected actions if clearance is incomplete.
    • Discuss holding at clearance limit.
    • Discuss actions if no further clearance received.
    • Discuss lost comm logic to holding (procedural vs. positive control).
  • Part 4, Aircraft Holding Procedures:
    • Introduce entry procedures: Direct, Parallel, and Teardrop.
      • Using example clearances, have student choose entry with explanation.
    • Introduce wind correction and timing:
      • Wind effect on inbound/outbound legs.
      • Timing adjustments to maintain inbound leg.
      • Discuss: Triple drift correction concept (outbound).
      • Have student: Predict wind effect on hold shape and explain how to adjust timing and heading.
    • Introduce holding airspeeds:
      • Introduce maximum holding speeds by altitude.
      • Connect why speed affects protected airspace.
    • Introduce holding pattern exit.
    • Introduce holding common errors.
  • Part 5, Risk Management:
    • Loss of situational awareness.
    • Airspace deviation.
    • Task saturation (also, not staying ahead of aircraft).
    • Simple hold vs high-workload IFR environment.
    • Identify when holding becomes high risk (environmental, phase of flight, fatigue, day/night).
  • Part 6, Aircraft Holding Procedures Practical Application:
    • Consider holding in training airspace before moving to controlled IFR environment.
    • Provide holding clearance (if not provided).
    • Require correct readback.
    • Brief and conduct correct type of holding entry.
    • Ensure direct intercept to holding fix.
    • Monitor course tracking, timing, altitude, and workload management during initial and subsequent holding laps.
    • Provide subsequent clearance to exit holding.
  • Part 7, Holding Procedures Guided Scenario(s):
    • .
  • Part 8, Lesson Conclusion:
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan Guided Scenario(s)

  • A pilot is conducting an IFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions to a Class C airport. The destination weather is 800 overcast, 2 miles visibility, and the aircraft is established on an RNAV STAR approximately 40 miles from the destination airport.
  • Approach control advises that a preceding transport-category aircraft experienced a hard landing on the active runway. Airport operations personnel have been dispatched to inspect the runway for possible foreign object debris (FOD).
  • ATC advises all arriving aircraft that the runway is temporarily unavailable pending inspection. The expected duration of the closure is unknown.
  • As the aircraft approaches the terminal area, ATC issues: "Hold northeast of the HAWNS intersection on the 045° radial, right turns, expect further clearance at 1545Z."
  • The aircraft is approaching the holding fix from the southwest. The pilot must interpret the clearance, identify the holding side, determine the appropriate entry procedure, and prepare for entry while maintaining aircraft control and complying with ATC instructions.
  • After crossing the fix, the aircraft enters the hold. Stronger-than-forecast winds from the northwest begin pushing the aircraft toward the protected airspace boundary. The pilot adjusts outbound timing, headings, and wind correction angles to maintain the published hold.
  • During the second circuit of the hold, ATC advises that airport personnel have located debris near the touchdown zone. The runway remains closed while inspection and cleanup continue.
  • Additional arriving traffic enters the holding pattern at different altitudes. The pilot must maintain situational awareness while complying with altitude assignments and holding instructions.
  • As fuel reserves decrease, the pilot begins evaluating available options, including continued holding, requesting a revised EFC, or diverting to a suitable alternate airport.
  • ATC subsequently advises that the runway inspection has been completed and the debris has been removed. Arrivals will resume in sequence.
  • The pilot receives further clearance, exits the hold, and proceeds toward the instrument approach.
  • During the approach briefing, ATC advises braking action reports are normal and the runway is fully reopened.
  • The scenario concludes when the aircraft successfully transitions from the holding pattern to the approach environment while maintaining compliance with ATC clearances, protected airspace requirements, fuel planning considerations, and situational awareness throughout the delay.
Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan Student Actions

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating - Holding Procedures Knowledge:

The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:

Instrument Rating - Holding Procedures Risk Management:

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:

  • IR.III.B.R1:

    Recalculating fuel reserves if assigned an unanticipated expect further clearance (EFC) time.

  • IR.III.B.R2:

    Scenarios and circumstances that could result in minimum fuel or the need to declare an emergency.

  • IR.III.B.R3:

    Scenarios that could lead to holding, including deteriorating weather at the planned destination.

  • IR.III.B.R4:

    Holding entry and wind correction while holding.

Instrument Rating - Holding Procedures Skills:

The applicant exhibits the skills to:

  • IR.III.B.S1:

    Use an entry procedure appropriate for a standard, nonstandard, published, or non-published holding pattern.

  • IR.III.B.S2:

    Change to the holding airspeed appropriate for the altitude when 3 minutes or less from, but prior to arriving at, the holding fix and set appropriate power as needed for fuel conservation.

  • IR.III.B.S3:

    Recognize arrival at the holding fix and promptly initiate entry into the holding pattern.
    • IR.III.B.S3a:
      Comply with the holding pattern leg length and other restrictions, if applicable, associated with the holding pattern.

  • IR.III.B.S4:

    Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, selected headings within ±10°, and track a selected course, radial, or bearing within ¾-scale deflection of the course deviation indicator (CDI).

  • IR.III.B.S5:

    Use proper wind correction procedures to maintain the desired pattern and to arrive over the fix as close as possible to a specified time.

  • IR.III.B.S6:

    Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position in relation to the desired flightpath during holding.

  • IR.III.B.S7:

    Comply with ATC reporting requirements and restrictions associated with the holding pattern.

  • IR.III.B.S8:

    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • With a foundation on the requirements to meet certification standards, students can envision a path to certification completion.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson