Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

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Aero-Tips 03.19.06

As more and more personal pilots venture into turbine-powered airplanes and the coming Very Light Jets (VLJs), more of us will need to be aware of the distinctions brought on with this increasing capability. One task that’s different at higher speeds is holding.

High-Speed Holds

ATC prefers ground delays and en route vectors or speed changes to sequence traffic. The time does come, however, when airplanes are put into holding patterns -- if you have any doubt, an airline MD-80 I recently rode on did four turns in an en route hold.

Maximum authorized speed in holds are:

• 200 Knots Indicated Air Speed (KIAS) from sea level to 6000 feet.
• 230 KIAS above 6000 feet to 14,000 feet
• 265 KIAS above 14,000 feet.

Turns in holding patterns should be made at standard rate. Since the bank angle (in degrees) resulting in a standard rate turn is a little less than 15% of the True Air Speed (TAS, in knots), the faster you’re flying the steeper you’ll bank in a standard-rate turn. An aircraft flying 210 Knots True Air Speed (KTAS) or greater will require more than 30 degrees bank to achieve a standard rate turn. Banks over 30 degrees invite disorientation and spirals, so pilots at these speeds should limit holding turns to 30 degrees of bank.

(Note: Flight Director systems limit bank angles to 25 degrees. Flying a Flight Director, maximum bank is reached at 170 KTAS).

On a standard day you’ll reach these limits at about 183 KIAS/156 KIAS, respectively, on a standard day at 6000 feet. Naturally, holding patterns will cover more airspace at these speeds and bank angles.

Aero-tip of the day: As more civil pilots fly more capable airplanes, we’ll all need to concentrate on the special aspects of high-speed flight.

FMI: Aero-Tips