TC AIM RAC 10.2–10.7
Holding Pattern Entries in Canada
You choose a holding entry by your heading at the fix, against the three sectors of TC AIM Figure 10.2 (TC AIM RAC 10.5): parallel from the 110° sector, offset (teardrop) from the 70° sector, direct from the remaining 180°. Within five degrees of a boundary, either entry is accepted. Turns are right unless ATC or a published hold says left.
The three entries at a glance
Figure 10.2 of the TC AIM draws a line through the holding fix at 70° to the inbound track, on the holding side. That line and the inbound track split the circle around the fix into three sectors, and each sector has its own entry.
| Sector | Width | Entry | What you do at the fix (standard, right-hand pattern) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 110° | Parallel | Turn onto the outbound heading, fly the outbound time, turn left back to the inbound track or the fix |
| 2 | 70° | Offset (teardrop) | Turn to a track 30° or less off the reciprocal of the inbound track, on the holding side, then turn right onto the inbound track |
| 3 | 180° | Direct | Turn right and fly the pattern |
The sectors are fixed to the holding pattern, not to north. Change the inbound track and they rotate with it; change to left turns and they mirror. In the figure, set your heading at the fix and the inbound track, then flip the turns between right and left: the same heading can give a different entry, which is exactly what the exam asks.
Reading it from your heading. With a standard right-hand pattern and an inbound track T, the entry is:
- Direct for a heading from T − 70° round to T + 110°;
- Offset for a heading from T + 110° to T + 180°;
- Parallel for a heading from T + 180° round to T + 290° (that is, T − 70°).
Take an inbound track of 270° with right turns and a heading of 045° at the fix. T + 110° is 020° and T + 180° is 090°, so 045° is in the offset sector. The reciprocal of the inbound track is 090°, the holding side is north of the inbound track, so you turn to a track no more than 30° off 090° on the north side, such as 060°, and then turn right to intercept 270° inbound.
Direct is a full 180° — half of everything — and it is the answer far more often than candidates expect. The 70° line is struck from the inbound leg, on the holding side, so the offset (teardrop) sector is the 70° wedge and parallel is the 110° one. Step the heading through the boundary 70° from the track extension and watch the answer flip; then press Left, and every sector mirrors while the numbers stay the same.
The rule, word for word
RAC 10.5 sets the entry by heading, with five degrees of flexibility, and then gives each sector's procedure.
“The pilot is expected to enter a holding pattern according to the aircraft’s heading in relation to the three sectors shown in Figure 10.2, recognizing a zone of flexibility of five degrees on either side of the sector boundaries.”
“Sector 1 procedures (parallel entry) are: (a) Upon reaching the fix, turn onto the outbound heading of the holding pattern for the appropriate period of time. (b) Turn left to intercept the inbound track or to return directly to the fix. (c) On the second arrival over the fix, turn right and follow the holding pattern.”
“Sector 2 procedures (offset entry) are: (a) Upon reaching the fix, turn to a heading that results in a track having an angle of 30° or less from the inbound track reciprocal on the holding side. (b) continue for the appropriate period of time, then turn right to intercept the inbound track and follow the holding pattern.”
“Sector 3 procedure (direct entry) is: (a) Upon reaching the fix, turn right and follow the holding pattern.”
Flying each entry
- Parallel. Cross the fix and turn onto the outbound heading, so you fly outbound on the non-holding side, parallel to the inbound track. After the outbound time, turn left (the opposite way to the pattern's turns) and either intercept the inbound track or head straight back to the fix. The second time over the fix, turn right into the pattern.
- Offset. Cross the fix and turn to a heading that gives a track within 30° of the reciprocal of the inbound track, on the holding side. After the outbound time, turn right to intercept the inbound track. You are then in the pattern.
- Direct. Cross the fix, turn right and fly the pattern.
Make the turns at an average bank of at least 25° or at 3° per second, "whichever requires the lesser bank" (TC AIM RAC 10.2). When holding at a VOR intersection or a VOR/DME fix, "entries are limited to the radials or DME arcs forming the fix, as appropriate" (TC AIM RAC 10.5).
Tell the ATC unit when you cross the fix to enter the hold. If ATC asks you to report "established in the hold", you report "established" when crossing the fix after you have completed the entry (TC AIM RAC 10.5).
Left-hand (non-standard) holds
A hold is standard with right turns. It is non-standard when the turns are to the left, or when the inbound leg time is not the standard one minute or one and a half minutes for the altitude (TC AIM RAC 10.4). You fly a left-hand hold only when the ATC clearance says so or a non-standard pattern is published at the fix:
“Unless the ATC clearance contains instructions to the contrary, or a non-standard holding pattern is published at the holding fix, pilots are expected to make all turns to the right after initial entry into the holding pattern.”
“Entry procedures to a non-standard pattern requiring left turns are oriented in relation to the 70° line on the holding side (Figure 10.3), just as in the standard pattern.”
Timing and speed in the hold
In still air the outbound leg is 1 minute at or below 14,000 ft ASL and 1½ minutes above 14,000 ft ASL. You then adjust the outbound time for the wind so that the inbound leg takes 1 or 1½ minutes. After the first circuit, start the outbound timing abeam the fix or on reaching the outbound heading, whichever comes later (TC AIM RAC 10.6). On a DME hold, ATC gives distances in NM and they replace the times (TC AIM RAC 10.8).
Unless a chart says otherwise or a shuttle is specified, enter and fly the hold at or below these speeds (TC AIM RAC 10.7, Table 10.1):
| Altitude (ASL) | Maximum holding airspeed |
|---|---|
| At or below 6,000 ft | 200 KIAS |
| Above 6,000 ft up to and including 14,000 ft | 230 KIAS |
| Above 14,000 ft | 265 KIAS |
The protected airspace is sized for these speeds, so if you need to fly faster for any reason, turbulence included, advise ATC immediately (TC AIM RAC 10.7).
“The still air time for flying the outbound leg of a holding pattern should not exceed 1 min if at or below 14 000 ft ASL, or 1 1/2 min if above 14 000 ft ASL; however, the pilot should make due allowance in both heading and timing to compensate for wind effect. After the initial circuit of the pattern, timing should begin abeam the fix or on attaining the outbound heading, whichever occurs later.”
Where candidates lose marks
- Parallel and offset swapped. The parallel entry is flown outbound on the non-holding side; the offset entry is flown on the holding side (TC AIM RAC 10.5).
- The turn after a parallel outbound leg is left in a right-hand pattern. Only on the second arrival over the fix do you turn right.
- The offset track is "30° or less" from the reciprocal of the inbound track, on the holding side. It is not 30° from the inbound track itself.
- Left turns mirror everything. The sectors are drawn from the 70° line on the holding side "just as in the standard pattern" (TC AIM RAC 10.5), so the same heading can give a different entry.
- A heading within five degrees of a boundary may use either entry (TC AIM RAC 10.5).
- Timing starts abeam the fix or on the outbound heading, whichever is later, and the aim is a 1-minute (or 1½-minute) inbound leg (TC AIM RAC 10.6).
- 14,000 ft is the timing break; 6,000 ft and 14,000 ft are the speed breaks (TC AIM RAC 10.6 and 10.7).
Practice
Original questions in the style of the Transport Canada written exams. Tap an answer to see why it is right or wrong.
Question 1 of 4
You are cleared to hold at a fix on an inbound track of 090°, standard turns. Your heading as you reach the fix is 300°. Which entry does TC AIM RAC 10.5 give?
Tap an answer to check it.
Question 2 of 4
You will make an offset entry to a hold with an inbound track of 360° and standard turns. After crossing the fix, which track meets TC AIM RAC 10.5?
Tap an answer to check it.
Question 3 of 4
You are holding at 9,000 ft ASL. After the initial circuit, when does outbound timing begin, and what still-air outbound time should not be exceeded?
Tap an answer to check it.
Question 4 of 4
ATC clears you to hold at a fix on an inbound track of 090°, left turns. You reach the fix on a heading of 240°. Which entry do you make?
Tap an answer to check it.
Taught in
The chapter goes further than this page, and ends with a quiz.
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Checked 6 November 2026. TC AIM RAC 10.1 to 10.8, Figures 10.1 to 10.3 and Table 10.1 checked against TC AIM, October 1, 2026. TC Exam Prep is independent and not affiliated with Transport Canada.