George,
I had assumed that any turn inbound on an entry maneuver would begin at 8 DME because this is where the descent to the minimum altitude begins. So if I performed a teardrop entry, for example, I would be centering on R026 at just the same time as I should start descending from 6500'. Are the entries time-based regardless of the hold having distance-based legs?
Putting your input together with Eric's, it sounds as though I should expect to perform an entry at 8000', proceed inbound on R026 and cross the VOR at 8000', begin descending to 6500' after turning to heading 026 outbound, then begin descending to the minimum altitude after crossing 8.0 DME. Do I understand?
Is there no way other than the procedure turn to avoid flying an entire circuit around the hold? Am I correct in understanding that the procedure turn is only available when crossing the VOR on a heading of 356 to 056 (+/- 30 deg)?
Thanks again for your input!