Flying a holding pattern with X-Wind

[training wheels]

Hi there,

I'm just seeking a second opinion on this. I'm currently training for an Instrument Rating and have started doing some sim flying. My instructor has advised to fly rate-one turns in all circumstances, however, I beg to differ, when a significant amount of cross-wind is in effect.

Here's the senario;

It is a right hand circuit.

Track inbound on the holding pattern is 340.

Wind is 250/30.

When turning inbound, I would be subjected to a significant amount of headwind during the turn. If I hold a rate-one turn, I will find myself well inside my inbound track of 340 due to the headwind on the turn.

But if I turn with a shallow bank angle (less than rate one?), then I find myself in a much better position to intercept the inbound track, and in some cases, will rollout spot-on on the inbound track.

Is this the best technique?

I know of other "text-book" techniques like applying 2 times, or 3 times the wind correction angle (accounting for drift) on the outbound leg so that I fly inside the pattern, so that turning with a rate-one turn, with the tighter turn due to wind, will result in a rollout on (or near) the inbound track.

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Cheers

[This message has been edited by training wheels (edited 11 June 2001).]