Holding pattern entry questions look tricky until you see the simple logic behind them. In this guide you will learn how to choose the correct holding pattern entry for the DGCA exam, understand the three holding pattern entry procedures (direct, offset and parallel), and solve any question in under a minute with a quick heading check.
What a holding pattern is
A holding pattern is a racetrack-shaped path that keeps an aircraft in a fixed piece of airspace while it waits, usually for an approach clearance or for traffic ahead to clear. Air Traffic Control (ATC) gives you a holding fix, an inbound track and the direction of turns.
The parts you must know:
- Holding fix: the point the hold is built around, such as a VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) or a named waypoint.
- Inbound track: the track you fly towards the fix.
- Outbound leg: the leg flown in the opposite direction, after the turn at the fix.
- Holding side: the side of the inbound track where the racetrack lies. The other side is the non-holding side.
- Standard pattern: all turns to the right. A non-standard pattern uses left turns and must be stated by ATC or on the chart.
These terms come from ICAO PANS-OPS (Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Aircraft Operations, Doc 8168), which is the basis for holding questions in the DGCA Air Regulations paper.
Holding pattern timing and turns
In still air the outbound leg is timed at 1 minute at or below 14,000 ft and 1½ minutes above 14,000 ft. Turns are made at a bank angle of 25° or a rate one turn (3° per second), whichever needs less bank.
Timing of the outbound leg starts abeam the fix, or when you roll out on the outbound heading if you cannot tell when you are abeam. In wind, you adjust the outbound time and heading so that the inbound leg comes out at the correct length. Maximum holding speeds depend on altitude band and aircraft category; learn them from your course notes and the current PANS-OPS values, because the exam can ask about them directly.
The three holding pattern entry procedures
ICAO divides the airspace around the fix into three sectors, and each sector has its own entry. The boundary between sectors is the extended inbound track and a line through the fix at 70° to it, which is why you will hear people talk about "the 70° line".
- Parallel entry (sector 1, 110°): on reaching the fix, turn onto the outbound heading and fly it on the non-holding side for the outbound time. Then turn towards the holding side to intercept the inbound track or return to the fix.
- Offset entry (sector 2, 70°): on reaching the fix, turn onto a heading 30° off the outbound track towards the holding side and fly it for the outbound time. Then turn in the direction of the hold to intercept the inbound track. Many books call this the teardrop entry.
- Direct entry (sector 3, 180°): on reaching the fix, simply turn in the direction of the hold and follow the pattern.
Notice the sector sizes: 110° + 70° + 180° = 360°. ICAO allows a zone of flexibility of 5° either side of the sector boundaries, so near a boundary either entry is acceptable.
How to choose a holding pattern entry from your heading
The fastest exam method uses your heading to the fix compared with the inbound track (T). For a standard right-hand hold:
- Direct entry: heading from T − 70° to T + 110° (going clockwise through T).
- Offset entry: heading from T + 110° to T + 180°.
- Parallel entry: heading from T + 180° to T + 290° (that is, T − 70°).
For a left-hand hold, mirror it: direct from T − 110° to T + 70°, offset from T − 180° to T − 110°, and parallel from T + 70° to T + 180°.
Sketching helps. Draw the inbound track arrow into the fix, mark the racetrack on the holding side, then draw your arrival heading through the fix. The picture usually confirms the answer at a glance.
Worked example: three aircraft, one hold
The hold is at a VOR, inbound track 270°, standard right turns. The outbound track is 090° and the holding side is north of the inbound track.
Inbound track T = 270°
Direct: T - 70 = 200° to T + 110 = 020° (200° → 360° → 020°)
Offset: 020° to 090°
Parallel: 090° to 200°
Aircraft A, heading 045° to the fix → offset entry
Offset heading = 090° turned 30° towards north = 060°
Turn right 15° to 060°, fly 1 min, turn right to intercept 270°
Aircraft B, heading 150° to the fix → parallel entry
Turn left to 090°, fly 1 min on the south (non-holding) side,
turn left to intercept 270° or return to the fix
Aircraft C, heading 300° to the fix → direct entry
Turn right and join the pattern
Check each answer with a sketch. Aircraft A arrives from the south-west and keeps going roughly north-east, so the offset heading is a small turn. Aircraft B crosses the fix towards the south-east, so flying outbound on the south side is natural. Aircraft C is already close to the inbound direction, so a direct turn into the pattern works.
You can test your own examples on the free holding pattern entry tool, which draws the sectors for any inbound track.
Common mistakes in DGCA air regulations holding questions
- Using the outbound track instead of the inbound track as the reference. Always start from the inbound track given in the question.
- Forgetting the turn direction. A left-hand hold mirrors every sector. Read the question for "left turns" or "non-standard".
- Offsetting the wrong way. The 30° offset is always towards the holding side.
- Mixing up timing. 1 minute at or below 14,000 ft, 1½ minutes above, measured in still air.
- Using bearing instead of heading. The heading method needs your heading to the fix, not the radial you are on. If a question gives a radial, convert it first.
Start from the inbound track, check the turn direction, then place your heading in the 70°, 110° or 180° sector.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three holding pattern entries?
The three ICAO holding pattern entries are parallel, offset and direct. In a parallel entry you fly outbound on the non-holding side. In an offset (teardrop) entry you fly 30° off the outbound track on the holding side. In a direct entry you turn straight into the pattern after crossing the fix.
How do you decide which holding entry to use?
Compare your heading to the fix with the inbound track. For a standard right-hand hold, headings from 70° left of the inbound track to 110° right of it give a direct entry, the next 70° gives an offset entry, and the remaining 110° gives a parallel entry. Mirror this for left-hand holds.
What is the 70 degree line in holding?
The 70° line is a line through the holding fix at 70° to the inbound track. Together with the extended inbound track, it divides the area around the fix into the three entry sectors. It is the reason the offset sector is 70° wide and the parallel sector is 110° wide.
How long is the outbound leg in a hold?
Under ICAO PANS-OPS, the outbound leg in still air is flown for 1 minute at or below 14,000 ft and 1½ minutes above 14,000 ft. Timing starts abeam the fix. In wind, pilots adjust outbound time so that the inbound leg ends up at the intended length.
Is a standard holding pattern right or left?
A standard holding pattern uses right turns. A hold with left turns is called non-standard and is shown on the chart or given by ATC in the clearance. If an exam question does not mention the turn direction, assume standard right turns.
Practise holding pattern entry questions
The best way to make holding pattern entry automatic is to solve many examples quickly. Draw the sectors on the free holding pattern entry tool, then try timed questions in our free DGCA practice questions. Fly with Sudharshan Aviation Academy (FSAA) teaches holding, PANS-OPS and the rest of the syllabus step by step in the DGCA Air Regulations course. The rules above follow ICAO PANS-OPS; check your current course notes for the latest values the DGCA exam uses.