(Refer to Figure 114.) A pilot receives this ATC clearance:
“...CLEARED TO THE ABC VORTAC. HOLD WEST ON THE TWO SEVEN ZERO
RADIAL...”
What is the recommended procedure to enter the holding pattern?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Here is the situation described in the question: a pilot is cleared to a fix (the ABC VORTAC) and told to HOLD WEST ON THE TWO SEVEN ZERO RADIAL. The prompt then asks for the recommended procedure to enter the holding pattern.

First, note that the options provided are limited or missing in this instance. The only listed option is “Direct only.” Since there are no other answer choices shown, we cannot compare multiple entry methods (direct, parallel, teardrop) against each other within the supplied set. In a real exam scenario, you would compare all three standard entry procedures to determine which applies based on the aircraft’s position relative to the holding fix when the clearance is given.

General principle for hold entries on a published or implied hold on a radial:
- The entry method depends on where you are in relation to the hold fix at the time the clearance is issued. You determine whether a direct, teardrop, or parallel entry is appropriate by assessing your inbound/outbound bearing and your heading as you approach the fix.
- If you are not established on the outbound course and you’re receiving a clearance to hold on a specific radial, the default approach is often a direct entry unless your position relative to the fix clearly dictates a teardrop or parallel entry to optimize traffic flow and protection time.

Why a Direct Entry could be the recommended option in this case:
- If you are approaching the hold fix from a sector that does not require you to angle away from the outbound course to enter, a direct entry simply involves flying directly to the fix and then turning to join the hold on the published outbound heading (270 degrees in this scenario) without performing a teardrop or parallel maneuver.
- Direct entry is the simplest and fastest method when the aircraft is already on a vector or path that allows immediate intercept of the outbound course on the 270 radial without crossing the fix multiple times or threading into the pattern from an awkward angle.

Why other entry methods might be chosen in different circumstances (not necessarily this scenario, but to understand contrast):
- Teardrop entry would be selected if you are coming from a sector that makes a teardrop turn toward the holding side after crossing the fix, typically when the direct path would intersect the pattern in an inefficient way or could conflict with other traffic.
- Parallel entry is used when your course requires you to fly outbound on the specified heading for one or more legs before turning to re-enter the hold on the inbound course, often chosen when you’re coming from the opposite side of the hold relative to the outbound course.

In summary, given only the clearance to hold west on the 270 radial and without additional positional information, a direct entry is often assumed to be the initial, straightforward method to join the hold. However, the exact entry decision should be based on the aircraft’s position relative to the hold fix at the time of clearance and the standard hold-entry rules (direct, teardrop, parallel) to ensure proper sequencing and airspace protection.

If additional options had been provided (e.g., direct, teardrop, parallel), you would evaluate each one against the aircraft’s approach angle to the fix and describe why direct is appropriate or why another method would be used instead. Since only a single option is shown here, the critical takeaway is understanding the decision framework for hold-entry methods rather than memorizing a single universal rule that's detached from the aircraft’s actual position.

FA_221 Lesson 12 Quiz

(Refer to Figure 114.) A pilot receives this ATC clearance: “...CLEARED TO THE ABC VORTAC. HOLD WEST ON THE TWO SEVEN ZERO RADIAL...” What is the recommended procedure to enter the holding pattern?

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