Holding Pattern Entry Calculator

Determine the correct holding pattern entry based on your arrival heading.

The course TO the fix on the holding side

Entry Types

  • DIRECT (70 deg sector):
    Fly to fix, turn outbound, enter holding
  • TEARDROP (110 deg sector):
    Fly to fix, turn 30 deg offset from outbound, fly 1 min, turn to intercept inbound
  • PARALLEL (180 deg sector):
    Fly to fix, turn parallel to outbound on non-holding side, fly 1 min, turn back to fix

Memory Aid

Imagine standing at the fix looking outbound:

  • Arriving from ahead and left = PARALLEL
  • Arriving from behind on holding side = TEARDROP
  • Arriving from behind on non-holding side = DIRECT