Speed Limits
Maximum holding speeds are established to keep aircraft within the protected holding area during their one-minute inbound and outbound legs. For civil aircraft (not military) in the United States, these airspeeds are:
- Up to 6,000 ft MSL: 200 KIAS
- From 6,001 to 14,000 ft MSL: 230 KIAS
- 14,001 ft MSL and above: 265 KIAS
The ICAO Maximum holding speeds:
- Up to 14000 ft: 230kts
- 14000 ft to 20000 ft: 240kts
- 20000 ft to 34000 ft: 265kts
- Above 34000 ft: M0.83
With their higher performance characteristics, military aircraft have higher holding speed limits.
In Canada the speeds are:
- All propeller including turboprop aircraft - MHA† to 30,000 ft (9,100 m): 175 kn (324 km/h; 201 mph)
- Civilian Jet - MHA to 14,000 ft (4,300 m): 230 kn (426 km/h; 265 mph)
- Above 14000 ft: 265 kn (491 km/h; 305 mph)
- Climbing during the hold:
- turboprop - normal climb speed
- Jet aircraft - 310 kn (574 km/h; 357 mph) maximum
†MHA – Minimum Holding Altitude
Read more about this topic: Holding (aviation)
Famous quotes containing the words speed and/or limits:
“For myself and my loved ones, I want the heat, which comes at the speed of light. I don’t want to have to hang about for the blast, which idles along at the speed of sound.”
—Martin Amis (b. 1949)
“Yet shall he mount, and keep his distant way
Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate:
Beneath the Good how far—but far above the Great.”
—Thomas Gray (1716–1771)