Logbook Life

Introduction

Teaching instrument candidates how to fly a various procedures presents fairly the same results and challenges yet a very important skill.  If there’s one thing that makes instrument students break into a sweat, it’s holding patterns. Receiving a holding clearance can just boggle the mind when you are not proficient. Before you know it you are behind the airplane, and it is just not going the way you had planned.  I remember the first time I heard, “Hold as published…” and felt my brain start spinning faster than my heading indicator, but here’s the truth: holding patterns aren’t designed to trick you,  they’re there to give you time, space, and order in the sky.  Once you break them down, they’re far less intimidating.

1. Understand the “Why” of Holding

• Holds aren’t just FAA torture devices, they serve a real purpose: spacing, sequencing, weather delays, or missed approach procedures.
• Once you respect the why, the how becomes easier.

Tip: Think of a hold as “ATC giving you breathing room.”

2. Entry Procedures Don’t Have to Be Confusing

• Direct, parallel, teardrop. The FAA chart makes them look scarier than they are.
• Use a simple mental trick:
  • Direct → “It looks obvious, just go in.”
  • Parallel → “Go out, then back in.”
  • Teardrop → “Cut across like you’re rounding the corner.”

Tip: Don’t overthink. If you’re close to the border of two entries, pick one and fly it. Examiners care more about safe execution than textbook perfection.

3. Timing and Wind Correction Are the Real Keys

• Students get lost trying to make the racetrack shape look perfect. It won’t.
• What matters: one-minute inbound legs (adjusting for wind), and staying predictable.
• Rule of thumb: Add/subtract wind correction on the outbound leg so the inbound leg lines up properly.

Tip: Use the 3x wind correction method, if you need 10° correction inbound, try 30° outbound.

4. Stay Ahead of the Airplane

• The hardest part of a hold isn’t the pattern, it’s the multitasking. Talking to ATC, twisting the OBS, timing, scanning instruments.
• Strategy: Make a flow. Time → Turn → Twist → Throttle → Talk.
• The more you build that muscle memory, the less chaotic it feels.

5. Practice Until It’s Boring

• Holds feel overwhelming until you’ve flown enough that they become routine.
• The more you practice in both simulator and airplane, the calmer you’ll be on checkride day.
• Tip: Don’t just practice perfect holds. Ask your instructor to throw you curveballs — holding at an intersection, unusual inbound courses, or non-published holds.

Conclusion

Holds aren’t a trap. They’re a tool. Once you understand the why, simplify the entries, and build a flow, they become just another part of flying IFR.

When you hear, “Expect further clearance in 10 minutes, hold as published,” you won’t panic. You’ll smile, set it up, and fly it with confidence.

Sign-Off:
From my logbook to yours — stay safe, and let’s fly.
– Tommy J.