Outbound time for a holding pattern at 14,000 ft or below in still air conditions is how long?

• A. 1 minute
• B. 1.5 minutes
• C. 2 minutes
• D. 30 seconds

Answer: (A)

In a standard holding pattern, the time spent on the outbound leg is set to a fixed duration depending on altitude. For holds at or below 14,000 feet, the outbound leg is one minute. In still air, that one-minute interval translates directly to the distance you’ve flown away from the holding fix, since there’s no wind to push you off course or shorten/extend your leg.

The rule is simple: one minute outbound if you’re at or below 14,000 feet; one and a half minutes outbound if you’re above 14,000 feet. The other options aren’t correct for this altitude range: 30 seconds is too short for a standard leg, and two minutes is longer than standard.