Instrument Rating Exam · Practice

Holding patterns (HF, HM, HA) in RNAV/RNP procedures differ as follows:

• A.HF, HM and HA all describe exactly the same holding pattern, displayed in different FMS modes
• B.HF = high-level fix, HM = medium-level fix, HA = heading alignment hold used on departures
• C.HF = hold to fix (ends at the fix); HM = hold to manual termination; HA = hold to altitude (ends at a specified altitude)
• D.HM is a mandatory hold that ATC must always assign; HF and HA are optional holds flown only at pilot discretion when requested