STAGE 1 ERAU CERTIFICATION EVALUATION
2026 FULL SOLUTIONS UPDATED
◉ What is the standard rate of turn for holding patterns?
Answer: Standard rate turns (3 degrees per second).
◉ How do you adjust the outbound leg time for a headwind to
maintain a 1-minute inbound leg?
Answer: Extend the outbound leg time to compensate for the slower
groundspeed inbound.
◉ What is the rule of thumb for adjusting outbound leg time on the
first lap with a headwind?
Answer: Double the headwind component and add that many
seconds to the outbound leg.
◉ How do you correct for a crosswind on the outbound leg of a
hold?
Answer: Triple the crab angle (WCA) used on the inbound leg and
apply it to the outbound heading.
◉ Why is the WCA tripled on the outbound leg of a hold?
, Answer: To prevent overshooting the radial during the turn back to
the inbound leg, ensuring you do not drift into the unprotected side.
◉ How should you adjust WCA for long holding legs (greater than 5
NM)?
Answer: Use 50% or less of the inbound WCA.
◉ What are the three types of holding pattern entries?
Answer: Direct, Parallel, and Teardrop.
◉ How do you determine the required holding entry?
Answer: Divide the HSI into sectors based on the holding fix and the
direction of turns; the sector containing the outbound course
dictates the entry type.
◉ What is the procedure for a Parallel entry?
Answer: Overfly the fix, turn to the outbound course, fly for 1
minute, then turn to intercept the inbound course.
◉ In a Parallel entry, which direction is the initial turn made?
Answer: The turn is made in the opposite direction of the assigned
holding turns.
2026 FULL SOLUTIONS UPDATED
◉ What is the standard rate of turn for holding patterns?
Answer: Standard rate turns (3 degrees per second).
◉ How do you adjust the outbound leg time for a headwind to
maintain a 1-minute inbound leg?
Answer: Extend the outbound leg time to compensate for the slower
groundspeed inbound.
◉ What is the rule of thumb for adjusting outbound leg time on the
first lap with a headwind?
Answer: Double the headwind component and add that many
seconds to the outbound leg.
◉ How do you correct for a crosswind on the outbound leg of a
hold?
Answer: Triple the crab angle (WCA) used on the inbound leg and
apply it to the outbound heading.
◉ Why is the WCA tripled on the outbound leg of a hold?
, Answer: To prevent overshooting the radial during the turn back to
the inbound leg, ensuring you do not drift into the unprotected side.
◉ How should you adjust WCA for long holding legs (greater than 5
NM)?
Answer: Use 50% or less of the inbound WCA.
◉ What are the three types of holding pattern entries?
Answer: Direct, Parallel, and Teardrop.
◉ How do you determine the required holding entry?
Answer: Divide the HSI into sectors based on the holding fix and the
direction of turns; the sector containing the outbound course
dictates the entry type.
◉ What is the procedure for a Parallel entry?
Answer: Overfly the fix, turn to the outbound course, fly for 1
minute, then turn to intercept the inbound course.
◉ In a Parallel entry, which direction is the initial turn made?
Answer: The turn is made in the opposite direction of the assigned
holding turns.
