Holding Pattern Calculator

This calculator works out the AIM 5-3-8 (FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, Holding) standard entry procedure by measuring the angle between your current heading and the reciprocal of the published inbound course. That angle is split into three sectors: a 180° "direct" sector where you simply fly to the fix and turn outbound, a 110° "parallel" sector where you fly outbound on a parallel track before turning back to intercept, and a 70° "teardrop" sector where you fly a 30° offset outbound heading for one minute before turning inbound. Getting the sector right matters because entering the wrong way can put you outside protected airspace during the first circuit.

Beyond entry geometry, the calculator applies the FAA's altitude-based speed limits (200 kt IAS at or below 6,000 ft, 230 kt up to 14,000 ft, 265 kt above), the standard leg-time rule (1 minute below 14,000 ft, 1.5 minutes at or above), and a simple circuit-time model of two legs plus two one-minute standard-rate turns, from which it derives fuel burned per circuit at your entered burn rate. The one key assumption worth watching: this is all standard-rate, no-wind geometry — with real wind, outbound leg timing needs adjustment (the calculator's note to triple your inbound wind-correction angle on the outbound leg is the correction ATC and the AIM expect you to apply by feel, not something the fuel and timing figures themselves account for).