Radarspotting

Mode-S Software => Basestation => Topic started by: Faramir on October 25, 2022, 04:09:11 PM

Title: Holding pattern outlines
Post by: Faramir on October 25, 2022, 04:09:11 PM
Does anyone know how to make the holding patterns for the Netherlands and Belgium? Or does anyone have a file of these patterns? I searched the eAIP's but they are not defined there.
As far as I know Acarslogger doesn't include the holding patterns in his work.

Cheers,
Title: Re: Holding pattern outlines
Post by: Anmer on October 25, 2022, 05:23:20 PM
Quote from: Faramir on October 25, 2022, 04:09:11 PM
As far as I know Acarslogger doesn't include the holding patterns in his work.

I'm sure Acarslogger did create holding pattern outlines.

Maybe send him a PM?
Title: Re: Holding pattern outlines
Post by: Faramir on October 25, 2022, 06:54:27 PM
My apologies! I will send him a message, thanks Mike!
Title: Re: Holding pattern outlines
Post by: DaveReid on October 26, 2022, 08:07:40 AM
Ever since the very early SBS days, I've always been amused at the idea of showing hold racetracks on the radar screen.

Yes, I know they're in the AIP, but those are purely schematic and rarely correspond to the actual pattern flown.

Here's the ICAO definition of a hold:

"During entry and holding, pilots manually flying the aircraft are expected to make all turns to achieve an average bank angle of at least 25° or a rate of turn of 3° per second, whichever requires the lesser bank. The inbound leg is flown following the assigned radial or bearing to the fix whilst the ground track for the outbound leg is adjusted for the wind conditions to facilitate the turn to intercept the inbound track. The outbound leg is flown for the appropriate time interval to achieve the regulated inbound timing. Inbound timing for a standard hold is one minute when at or below 14,000' and one and a half minutes when above 14,000'."

In other words, the only things that are actually defined for a hold are the fix and the inbound track.  Factors including speed in the hold, bank angle and wind will conspire to produce an actual pattern that varies in size and is often asymmetric. 

I gave up in the end and made do with a waypoint on the radar screen and an arbitrary rectangle into which most (but not all) of the holding aircraft will fit on a given day.

N.B. No disrespect intended towards Acarslogger, who does a fine job.
Title: Re: Holding pattern outlines
Post by: Anmer on October 26, 2022, 08:31:53 AM
Quote from: DaveReid on October 26, 2022, 08:07:40 AM
Ever since the very early SBS days, I've always been amused at the idea of showing hold racetracks on the radar screen.

The bottom line is we have a choice and can apply our personal preferences.  Assuming clever people like Acarslogger can create the outlines.

The only outlines I use are coastlines, approach paths and runways.  But I've seen many a screen with ATZ/MATZ, VORs, airways etc. Not my choice but the other person was more than happy with theirs.

Each to one's own, as they say.  ;)