Patent ID: 6847866

Claim:
A method for providing an allowed shortened holding pattern exit path for an aircraft from its current position in a holding pattern to an allowed exit point from the holding pattern wherein the holding pattern comprises inbound and outbound legs, a near turn leading from a first turning point at an inward end of the inbound leg to a second turning point at an inward end of the outbound leg and a far turn leading from a third turning point at an outward end of the outbound leg to a fourth turning point at an outward end of the inbound leg and where the exit point lies on the inbound leg and a symmetrical point lies opposite and symmetrical to the exit point on the outbound leg, the method comprising: (a) determining a holding pattern segment A, B, or C on which the aircraft is currently located, that is, on segment A between the third turning point and the exit point or on segment B between the exit point and the symmetrical point or on C between the symmetrical point and the third turning point; and (a.1) if on segment A, directing the aircraft along the holding pattern to reach the exit point; or (a.2) if on segment B directing the aircraft along the holding pattern to the symmetrical point and at the symmetrical point directing a turn toward the inbound leg to substantially directly reach the exit point; or (a.3) if on segment C, determining the shortest distance D along the holding pattern from the symmetrical point to the current position, directing a turn to the inbound leg and continuing along the inbound leg for reciprocal distance −D to reach the exit point; and (b) at the exit point directing a turn to the desired departure path.