Direct, parallel, or teardrop?
Watch the wedges.
The AIM diagram is static, so we made something you can work with. The tool adjusts to your holding course, aircraft heading, and turn direction as you pick them. This tool uses the published 70°/110°/180° boundaries from AIM 5-3-8.
Interactive holding pattern diagram. Adjust inbound course, aircraft heading, and turn direction to see the recommended entry, dashed entry track, and solid hold racetrack.
The course flown TO the holding fix on the inbound leg.
Direction the aircraft is pointed while approaching the fix.
Standard holds use right turns. Left turns must be assigned or published.
Parallel
110° sectorCross the fix, parallel the outbound course on the non-holding side, then turn left through more than 180° to come back and intercept inbound.
- 1.Fly to the fix and cross it.
- 2.Turn to HDG 180 to parallel the outbound course on the non-holding side. Fly about one minute.
- 3.Turn Left through more than 180° and intercept the inbound CRS 360.
- 4.Fly to the fix on CRS 360 with HDG 360.
- 5.Go to Hold Instructions: Step 2.
- 1.Fly to the fix on CRS 360 with HDG 360.
- 2.Turn Right to HDG 180 outbound.
- 3.Fly HDG 180 outbound for the same time as the inbound leg (about one minute).
- 4.Turn Right and intercept CRS 360 inbound.
- 5.Repeat.
Direct
180° wedgeFly directly to the fix and turn to follow the holding pattern.
Teardrop
70° wedgeCross the fix, turn outbound 30° inside the holding side for 1 minute, then turn toward the pattern to intercept the inbound course.
Parallel
110° wedgeCross the fix, turn outbound parallel to the inbound course on the non-holding side for 1 minute, then turn through >180° to intercept the inbound course.