Patent ID: 8583352

Claim:
A hold path computation system for automatically generating a hold path for an aircraft flying in a holding pattern, wherein the holding pattern is defined by one or more orbits within a selectable holding area and includes a substantially oval track including a plurality of straight legs and a plurality of turn legs, said system comprising a processor configured to: receive a hold departure time indicating a time the aircraft is to leave the hold path; determine a present position of the aircraft within the holding pattern; determine an amount of time to complete a current hold orbit; if the determined amount of time to complete a current hold orbit is less than the time remaining to the hold departure time, maintain the aircraft flying in the holding pattern; determine an amount of time by which to shorten the next orbit to exit the holding pattern at the hold departure time; and determine a new holding pattern straight leg distance using a new holding pattern straight leg time multiplied by a speed of the aircraft.