Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area III, Task B

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

Introduction

  • Schedule

    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, 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 and present a mishap case study:
      • Ask the learner to describe prior knowledge or experience related to holding procedures.
    • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident, accident, or mishap.
    • Relate similar personal experiences involving the same type of event.
    • Consider incorporating the case study into the guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

Help Us Grow

Enjoy CFI Notebook? A one-time donation helps us create more high-quality lessons, quizzes, scenarios, graphics, and interactive tools.

One-Time Donation
Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
  • Part 2, Holding Pattern Fundamentals:
    • Cover elements related to holding procedures, including reporting criteria, appropriate speeds, and recommended entry procedures for standard, nonstandard, published, and non-published holding patterns. (IR.III.B.K1)
      • Introduce the purposes of holding, including delay, sequencing, and compliance with a clearance limit.
      • Explain protected airspace and why airspeed, leg length, wind correction, and pattern geometry matter.
      • Identify the holding fix, holding side, inbound course, outbound leg, and standard or nonstandard turns.
      • Discuss one-minute inbound legs at or below 14,000 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level) and one-and-one-half-minute inbound legs above 14,000 feet MSL when time, rather than distance, defines the leg.
  • Part 3, Holding Clearances:
    • Discuss holding-clearance elements: fix, direction, radial/course/bearing, leg length when specified, and expect further clearance (EFC) time.
    • Provide sample clearances for the learner to copy, read back, and depict.
    • State the expected actions when a holding clearance is incomplete or unclear.
    • Discuss holding at a clearance limit and the actions required if further clearance is not received.
    • Discuss lost-communications considerations for holding under procedural control versus positive control.
    • Teach and assess compliance with ATC reporting requirements and restrictions associated with the holding pattern. (IR.III.B.S7)
  • Part 4, Aircraft Holding Procedures:
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess use of an entry procedure appropriate for a standard, nonstandard, published, or non-published holding pattern. (IR.III.B.S1)
      • Review direct, parallel, and teardrop entry recommendations.
      • Using example clearances, have the learner select and explain an appropriate entry.
    • Discuss the risks associated with holding entry and wind correction while holding. (IR.III.B.R4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess proper wind correction procedures used to maintain the desired pattern and arrive over the fix as close as possible to a specified time. (IR.III.B.S5)
      • Explain wind effects on the inbound and outbound legs.
      • Use timing adjustments to obtain the applicable inbound-leg time.
      • Discuss the triple-drift correction concept for the outbound leg.
      • Have the learner predict the wind's effect on pattern shape and explain appropriate timing and heading adjustments.
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess changing to the holding airspeed appropriate for altitude when three minutes or less from, but before arriving at, the holding fix, and setting power as needed for fuel conservation. (IR.III.B.S2)
      • Review maximum holding speeds by altitude.
      • Connect airspeed selection to protected-airspace containment.
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess recognition of arrival at the holding fix and prompt initiation of the selected entry. (IR.III.B.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess compliance with holding-pattern leg length and other applicable restrictions. (IR.III.B.S3a)
    • Introduce holding pattern exit.
    • Introduce common holding errors.
  • Part 5, Risk Management:
    • Discuss recalculating fuel reserves when assigned an unanticipated EFC time. (IR.III.B.R1)
    • Discuss scenarios and circumstances that could result in minimum fuel or the need to declare an emergency. (IR.III.B.R2)
    • Discuss scenarios that could lead to holding, including deteriorating weather at the planned destination. (IR.III.B.R3)
    • Address loss of situational awareness, airspace deviation, task saturation, and failure to remain ahead of the aircraft.
    • Compare a simple training hold with holding in a high-workload IFR environment.
    • Identify when holding becomes high risk because of environmental conditions, phase of flight, fatigue, or day/night considerations.
  • Part 6, Aircraft Holding Procedures Practical Application:
    • Consider practicing holding in training airspace before moving to a controlled IFR environment.
    • Provide holding clearance (if not provided).
    • Require a correct readback.
    • Brief and conduct the selected holding entry.
    • Ensure an appropriate intercept to the holding fix.
    • Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, selected headings within ±10°, and a selected course, radial, or bearing within three-quarter-scale CDI deflection. (IR.III.B.S4)
    • Use an MFD and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position relative to the desired flightpath during holding. (IR.III.B.S6)
    • Use SRM or CRM, as appropriate, while managing course tracking, timing, altitude, communications, fuel, and workload during initial and subsequent circuits. (IR.III.B.S8)
    • Provide subsequent clearance to exit holding.
  • Part 7, Holding Procedures Guided Scenario(s):
    • Present a realistic holding procedures scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
  • Part 8, Lesson Conclusion:
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
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 (Area Navigation) STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival) 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

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Holding Procedures Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 1 ACS Element
Risk Management 4 ACS Elements
  • 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.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • 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

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Holding Procedures develops the procedural discipline, instrument interpretation, and aircraft control required when outside visual references are limited or unavailable.
    • Cross-checking instruments, anticipating clearances, monitoring navigation performance, and recognizing deviations early preserve situational awareness and safe margins.
    • Accurate communication, checklist use, workload management, and timely missed-approach or alternate decisions connect technical proficiency with sound instrument-flight judgment.
    • Continued practice with Holding Procedures prepares instrument pilots for more complex procedures, system failures, and real-world IFR decision-making.

  • Closure:

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