BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ...

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AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005
quite difficult or impossible for to you to actually find it. Some holding pattern airspeeds
are published on IAPs. You must understand, though, that the concept is the same as in
the United States: maximum holding airspeeds are defined by PANS-OPS (or the host
country) and have no relation to the holding speed specified in the aircraft flight manual.
If you cannot, (or do not want to) find the precise maximum holding speed, you may use
the table below as a recommendation. The table reproduces the airspeeds from PANS-
OPS, and is the most common table used.
Table 18.4. ICAO Holding Airspeeds.
ALTITUDE AIRSPEED AIRSPEED
Normal Conditions Turbulence*
Up to 14,000 Feet Inclusive 170 170
(CAT A and B)
Up to 14,000 Feet Inclusive 230 280
(CAT C thru E)
Above 14,000-20,000 240 280 or 0.8 Mach, whichever is less
Above 20,000-34,000 265 280 or 0.8 Mach, whichever is less
Above 34,000 0.83 Mach 0.83 Mach
18.5.5.1. NOTE: *The speeds published for turbulence conditions shall be used for
holding only after prior clearance with ATC, unless the relevant publications indicate
that the holding area can accommodate aircraft flying at these high holding speeds.
18.5.6. Holding Pattern Lengths. On the second and subsequent arrivals over the fix,
turn and fly an outbound track that will most appropriately position the aircraft for the
turn onto the inbound track. Continue outbound until the appropriate limiting distance or
time. ICAO outbound legs are the limiting factor for both timed and fixed distance
holding patterns. The standard times are: 1 minute outbound at or below 14,000 feet
MSL, or 1 1/2 minutes outbound above 14,000 feet MSL.
18.5.7. Wind Corrections. Attempt to correct both heading and timing to compensate for
the effects of wind to ensure the inbound track is regained before passing the holding fix
inbound. Indications available from the NAVAID and estimated or known winds should
be used in making these corrections. If a limiting radial is published and encountered
prior to the outbound limits, it must be followed until a turn inbound is initiated at the
appropriate distance/time.
18.6. ICAO Altimeter Setting Procedures. There are three different methods of reporting
the altimeter measurements and four different units of measure used to express altimeter
settings. For aircraft that have only one type of altimeter scale, or for areas where the
altimeter setting is not converted for you, the FIH contains conversion tables. It is critical
that crewmembers understand how to apply the conversions prior to flight into airspace using
other than inches of mercury QNH for altimeter settings. Refer to FLIP AP for specific
altimeter setting procedures for each country.
18.6.1. Methods of Reporting Altimeter Settings.
18.6.1.1. QNH Settings. A QNH altimeter setting represents the pressure that would,
in theory, exist at sea level at that location by measuring the surface pressure and