Most people are correct when they say that the holding protected airspace is quite big compared to a PA28's holding speed. Even CAT A and B holds allow for a holding speed of 170Kt.
Thus when flying round the hold, try to be slightly wide on the outbound and slightly long. This provides you with the best chance of establishing on the inbound track and maintaining that track for a reasonable amount of time inbound.
As for entries;
Entering straight up the inbound track.....no problem and when considering the teardrop or parallel entry, you can intercept the inbound track during the entry procedure thus ensuring that your first turn into the outbound portion of the hold starts in the normal way i.e. from being established on the inbound track.
If however, you are on a direct entry or complete a parallel entry which returns directly back to the hold fix, you are in a situation where a still wind turn of more or less than 180 degrees is required.
Rate 1 turn = 3 degrees per second.
When the required turn is more than 180 degrees at the hold fix, stop the turn when on a heading 90 degrees from the inbound track flying towards the holding side. Maintain this heading for the number of seconds required to turn through the excess at erate 1. Then continue the turn onto the outbound heading.
Example.....Hold inbound 360, outbound 180 Turns right. Approach the hold from 110 radial (heading 290). Direct entry.......excess in turn is 70 degrees = 18 seconds.
At fix commence rate 1 turn onto heading 090. Stop turn for excess - 18 seconds - continue turn to 180 deg.
When the turn is less than 180 deg, calculate the amount of turn already completed and as above calculate a timing in seconds. Having passed the fix, do not commence the turn outbound until the appropriate timing has passed.
Example.........Same hold as above. Approaching the hold from 270 radial (heading 090). Direct entry......90 degrees of outbound turn already completed.
Having passed the fix, do not commence outbound turn until 30 seconds after the fix.
The above assume no wind and when wind is a factor then an allowance should be made.
Furthermore, the aircraft is only turning at rate 1 when the required angle of bank is acheived. Make allowance for the time takes to establish at Rate 1 and for the rate to decrease to zero.
Hope that helps.
Regards,
DFC