In a standard holding pattern, what is the typical inbound leg timing at or below 14,000 feet MSL and above 14,000 feet MSL?

In a standard holding pattern, what is the typical inbound leg timing at or below 14,000 feet MSL and above 14,000 feet MSL?

• A. 1 minute inbound leg at or below 14,000 ft
• B. 1 minute inbound leg at or below 14,000 ft, and 1.5 minutes inbound above 14,000 ft
• C. 2 minutes inbound leg at all altitudes
• D. 3 minutes inbound leg at all altitudes

Answer: (B)

In a standard holding pattern, the timing of the inbound leg is adjusted by altitude to keep the racetrack geometry consistent as true airspeed changes with height. The standard rule is to fly the inbound leg for one minute when you’re at or below 14,000 feet, and for one and a half minutes when you’re above 14,000 feet. This accounts for higher speeds at higher altitudes (and typical winds) so you don’t arrive early or late at the holding fix. So, the longer inbound leg above 14,000 feet is the adjustment that makes the pattern behave predictably across different altitudes. The other options don’t reflect this altitude-based timing, which is why they aren’t correct.

In a standard holding pattern, the timing of the inbound leg is adjusted by altitude to keep the racetrack geometry consistent as true airspeed changes with height. The standard rule is to fly the inbound leg for one minute when you’re at or below 14,000 feet, and for one and a half minutes when you’re above 14,000 feet. This accounts for higher speeds at higher altitudes (and typical winds) so you don’t arrive early or late at the holding fix.

So, the longer inbound leg above 14,000 feet is the adjustment that makes the pattern behave predictably across different altitudes. The other options don’t reflect this altitude-based timing, which is why they aren’t correct.