joining the procedure and a couple of other questions

[machlimter99]

Sorry if this is a silly question to some, but how do you join procedures such as NDB/DME (-providing you DON'T want to go into the hold first???) Would you join using either tear drop, parallel or direct depending on which direction you were coming from??

Can anyone tell me WHY the hold entry is heading dependant rather than track???

Is there a rule of thumb for calculating the direct entry if you are coming over the beacon at an acute angle, say you add 10 secs? some people state 15 secs??? I guess you would vary this if you are approaching with various angles (still in the direct sector).


My other question is when do you call taking up the hold?? Do you state this when you are actually first entering the hold??:confused:

[airpilot]

Machlimiter,

I'm no expert but if you wish to go straight outbound on either a base turn or procedural turn it will be a direct entry aslong as you are within 30degrees either side of the outbound track. If you cant make this 30degrees you will have to take up the hold. There is also the alternative procedure which is basically the racetrack pattern. Listen to your clearences carefully or ask ATC.

I use 15 seconds for direct.

Taking up the hold is when your joining at the beacon first time going out.