IFR holding patterns made easily

2. Holding Entry Made Easy Which entry to use? Parallel? Direct? Teardrop? Just ignore the VOR or ADF when using this trick: First, make sure you are heading to the fix the hold is based on. Then, imagine this diagram over your heading indicator. Determine which area the OUTBOUND leg falls in. This is your entry. (How to remember which diagram to use? The Direct portion is always biggest on the side your are turning: so for right turns, the Direct is semicircle with the peak on the right, and vice versa.) If not heading to the fix, just rotate the red figures so that the line between teardrop and parallel is on the heading you will be on when entering the hold. You can also simulate this diagram using your figures while flying. Non-Standard Hold (Left Turns) Direct Parallel Teardrop HDG Standard Hold (Right Turns) Parallel Teardrop Direct HDG

3. Diagrams