Speed reduction should be made ______ minutes before arrival at the holding fix?

Speed reduction should be made ______ minutes before arrival at the holding fix?

• A. 1 minute
• B. 3 minutes
• C. 5 minutes
• D. 10 minutes

Answer: (B)

The concept here is timing your deceleration to meet the holding speed before you reach the holding fix so you can enter the hold smoothly and maintain proper spacing. Reducing speed three minutes before the holding fix gives you a reliable window to slow from your approach speed to the published hold speed and to configure the aircraft for the hold before crossing the fix. This helps prevent overspeed in the hold entry and ensures you cross the fix at or below the required speed, which supports orderly sequencing with ATC and other traffic. If you wait only a minute, there isn’t enough time to reach the proper speed; waiting longer than three minutes can keep the aircraft slow longer than needed, affecting efficiency and timing. So three minutes provides a safe, practical balance for preparing to hold.

The concept here is timing your deceleration to meet the holding speed before you reach the holding fix so you can enter the hold smoothly and maintain proper spacing. Reducing speed three minutes before the holding fix gives you a reliable window to slow from your approach speed to the published hold speed and to configure the aircraft for the hold before crossing the fix. This helps prevent overspeed in the hold entry and ensures you cross the fix at or below the required speed, which supports orderly sequencing with ATC and other traffic. If you wait only a minute, there isn’t enough time to reach the proper speed; waiting longer than three minutes can keep the aircraft slow longer than needed, affecting efficiency and timing. So three minutes provides a safe, practical balance for preparing to hold.