Hi,
Quick question that has come up at work, with no one really being sure what the correct answer is or where to find a reference for it.
You are in the hold which is located at the IAF for an ILS. You are flying at the MHA for that hold as published however the IAF altitude to begin the procedure is one level below your present altitude/level.
When cleared for the approach is it correct....
1. To descend in the hold to the IAF altitude, which is an AT, then go outbound and follow the rest of the procedure descending as required until the platform altitude for the ILS/intercept
2. Maintain the MHA until passing over the IAF and then using flap/speedbrake as required descend rapidly to meet the next AT altitude and then continue the approach.
Option 1 means we have now descended below the MHA in the hold prior to going outbound but we are AT the required altitude for the IAF prior to commencing the procedural approach (no terrain issues below)
Option 2 requires us to begin a procedural approach from an IAF by busting this first AT altitude by more than 1000ft, however, you have not descended below the MHA in the hold.
I have my own opinions on this, and at what point the hold stops being a hold and forms part of the approach as do a number of colleagues so we thought we might put it to the PPrune panel and see what happens!
Look forward to your replies.
