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You
are flying a heading of 055 when you are issued
this clearance “…hold east of the ABC VORTAC on
the zero niner zero radial,
left turns…”
This
clearance is enough to invoke a rapid heart beat
in the most experienced pilots. Although holding patterns may be used
on any
instrument flight, holding clearances are issued infrequently enough
for pilots
to get a little rusty on the procedures. Visualizing a holding pattern
from a
current position is one of the more challenging aspects of instrument
flight.
ASA’s
holding pattern computer shows pilots which
entry is appropriate given the assigned holding radial. The design not
only
displays the appropriate entry procedure for both standard and
nonstandard
patterns (direct, parallel, or teardrop), but also depicts how pilots
get to
this entry, given their current aircraft heading.
Holding
pattern practice is now part of the instrument
currency requirements (every 6 months, instrument-rated pilots must
execute 6
instrument approaches and practice intercepting and tracking a NAVAID,
as well
as holding procedures). This handy pocket-sized tool may be used as a
refresher
on the ground, as well as a quick-reference guide in flight.
A
perfect learning tool for experienced instrument
pilots, students, and convenient instructional aid for flight
instructors. Made from
durable plastic in the
USA.
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