Hold pattern

1

Please does anyone know how to do a hold without atc when atc isn’t active and I want to do a hold please can anyone explain how to do it thanks

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A holding pattern is simply a looping pattern at a set altitude a certain distance away from the airport such that when able you can make a turn and begin your final approach into the airport. There isn’t a set rule on what altitude or where, IRL ATC has set patterns which they give to pilots, but we don’t have that option in IF. Most often the simplest holding pattern can be a basic rectangle towards the top of bottom of the airport such that while flying this rectangle, you can turn at any moment and begin your final descent.

3

adding to the above message, given that you already know how to fly a pattern-

the communication on unicom goes like this:

  1. departing rwy xx remaining in the pattern. use left traffic when on a left runway or if on a single runway and the terrain opts for you to use left traffic. vice versa for right traffic.
  2. once airborne, report all your positions once on said position. downwind, base, final.

simple

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You could simply take a look at the flight radar like in Dubai and heathrow lot’s of flights doing holding patterns in a same loop when it’s busy or initiating runway changes Now for doing holding patterns make sure to check charts for accuracy and always try to do holding patterns within the STAR section. For eg. in Dubai you iniate a right hand hold for approach coming from south and west which is IMPE approach fix IMPED. Similarly fix VUTEB for VUTE approach. For Heathrow I am only aware of LAM approach you iniate a left hand 360 usually between fix BRASO and LAM.

How it’s done manually:

If you’re planning to do a 360 hold rather than a oblong aim for 30 degree intervals if it’s oblong 180° also make sure to set to the lowest airspeed where an aircraft can stay in the said alt so it differs between the type of aircraft and do check them beforehand. Descent a bit more slowly during 360 holds if you like to have a perfect 360. Then you re-engage lnav once you are nearing the next segment.

Here’s an example