Okay guys, the gate position can be used during NDB holds (or VOR using RMI). Basically, one way of doing an NDB hold is as follows:
1. On passing the beacon, start the watch and turn outbound.
2. Use a 90* relative bearing from the beacon to establish the abeam point & note time.
3. If it has taken 50 secs to get here (assuming perfect rate 1 turn), then you have a tailwind of some form and therefore continue outbound for 50 secs.
4. Note that after 50 secs you should be at the gate. (The gate position is when the beacon is at a relative bearing of 30*(from the a/c tail) - For example if outbound heading is 270* then gate will be when the head of needle points to 120* - Draw it out if you still don`t follow!).
5. If the gate position (head of needle moves to 30* relative to a/c tail)before eg. 50 secs, then you are inside the hold, and can fly out on the gate heading (eg 120+180=300*) Then turn inbound at 50 secs.
6. If the gate position has not arrived by 50 secs, then you are outside the hold, and a very shallow turn required inbound.
7. If gate position arrives at 50 secs - CONGRATULATIONS - You have got it!
Definately draw it out though. It is very difficult to describe without diagrams.