I have been practicing holding patterns, using the FMC HOLD PAGE. When entering the information the options are to hold at any of the fixes in the legs flightplan. But how one enters the holding on which the instructions are for example to hold at 20NM of VOR xxx on the 150 degree radial? is there any way to enter this?ThanksJuan

I have been practicing holding patterns, using the FMC HOLD PAGE. When entering the information the options are to hold at any of the fixes in the legs flightplan. But how one enters the holding on which the instructions are for example to hold at 20NM of VOR xxx on the 150 degree radial? is there any way to enter this?ThanksJuan

If you are going to hold at that point, is because that point IS now part of your flightplan.So, just create that waypoint (XXX150/20), enter it into your flightplan (Legs page) in the desired position (go Direct To if cleared), and proceed as standard for any holding.

Hello Jose Luis, thanks for your reply.I figured it was something like that, but how do you actually create such a waypoint in the FMC?For example If I am told to hold at 30 NM on the radial 350 of the London Heathrow VOR (LON 113.60)How do I enter such a waypoint? In the PMDG manual its defined as follows:PPPPPBBB/DDD DDD is the distance in miles from 001 to 999 BBB is the bearing in degrees from 000 to 359but what is PPPPP? should I enter the frequency? 11360 without the decimal? its the name LON? if its the name what do i enter in the other two "PP" fields?Thanks,JuanIf you are going to hold at that point, is because that point IS now part of your flightplan.So, just create that waypoint (XXX150/20), enter it into your flightplan (Legs page) in the desired position (go Direct To if cleared), and proceed as standard for any holding.

If you are arriving to EGLL-LHR from the north (as it seems to be in your case) you will be arriving to one of the two north stacks or feeding points:1.- Lambourne LAM or 2.- Bovingdon BNN. One of those should be in your flightplan as the Intial Approach Fix (IAF in the charts). From there you will be radar vectored to the active runway (expect to be at 2500 ft at 7.5nm ILS DME)Lets say your IAF is BNN.Now, you say you want to hold at 30nm on the 350 radial of LON. Open the Legs Page. Type LON350/30 in the scratchpad.Enter it up (left side buttons) in the flightplan before BNN (presumed you will be directed there next). Clear the discontinuity. Activate and execute.Now, if you still have one or more waypoints between your present position and your brand-new-waypoint and you want to jump over them, execute a direct-to:Push the left button by the new waypoint (that will bring it to the scratchpad again) and now move it to the first line of the page by pushing the upper left button, activate and excute. Those undesired intermediate waypoints have been now deleted and your route is a straight line direct to your created new waypoint.Open the Hold page and when prompted "Hold At" proceed as standard.

Thank you very much Jose Luis. Now I have it pretty clear.Juan

Those undesired intermediate waypoints have been now deleted and your route is a straight line direct to your created new waypoint.

BTW, you can even select another course to the new waypoint if you don't want to fly direct from your present position (by entering the desired course in LSK6R)Bruno

BTW, you can even select another course to the new waypoint if you don't want to fly direct from your present position (by entering the desired course in LSK6R)Bruno

One of those "I'm flying in circles anyway, what's the rush" kinds of things? I know that sounds messed up, but I'm curious. Aside from ATC directing you there via another WP, why would you choose an indirect route?

, why would you choose an indirect route?

Ken,Frankly, I don't know. There may be a scenario for it (and maybe I could invent one) but that wasn't my point.I just took this opportunity to mention a function that maybe not every simmer knows about. The capability to reach a waypoint by following a specific course is there, because it is useful. Now you are probably right to question it's use when the waypoint is the anchor point for a hold. But who knows?Regards,Bruno

One of those "I'm flying in circles anyway, what's the rush" kinds of things? I know that sounds messed up, but I'm curious. Aside from ATC directing you there via another WP, why would you choose an indirect route?

-Follow established routes to get your flight plan approved. Must airways are not direct from departure to arrival :)-Weather (hail storm)-Minimum Sector altitude (mountain,...)-Restricted Area's (military)-Country Restrictions (some countries don't get along very well and forbid traffic overflying to that other country)Best Regards,Bert Van Bulck

OK, that makes sense. I can see how you may need to avoid/circumvent a given area on your way to a hold.