Originally Posted by
Mr Mac
Was is it not known as Race track pattern ? The two commercial pilots I know both use that reference when holding one Virgin the other EK but both UK nationals.
Racetreack and holding patterns are of the same shape, different distances and intended use. It is common for industry insiders who speak English to use own jargon and at times misalign certain terminology, some just want to sound more exclusive even to themselves. You know the type. A polite and dedicated pro will do without the buzzwords let alone mix them up. Hence wiggy's "holding pattern".
Originally Posted by ICAO PANS-OPS Doc 8168
Racetrack procedure. A procedure designed to enable the aircraft to reduce altitude during the initial approach segment and/or establish the aircraft inbound when the entry into a reversal procedure is not practical.
Originally Posted by ICAO PANS-OPS Doc 8168
1.2 SHAPE AND TERMINOLOGY ASSOCIATED WITH HOLDING PATTERN
The shape and terminology associated with the holding pattern are given in Figure II-6-1-1.
and circumstantial:
Originally Posted by ICAO PANS-OPS Doc 8168
3.2 TYPES OF MANOEUVRES
3.2.1 Where no suitable IAF or IF is available to construct the instrument procedure, a reversal procedure, racetrack or holding pattern is required.
E.g. the whole Section 6: Holding Procedures (16 pages) does not include a single instance of the word 'racetrack' which is otherwise found elsewhere in the Document (Volume I) twenty-one times.