Holding clearance

A holding clearance is an ATC clearance that tells you to enter and remain in a holding pattern at a specified fix. It normally includes the holding fix, direction, inbound track or a reference to the published hold, and often an expect further clearance time or a leave time. You receive it when traffic, sequencing, weather, or airspace use requires delay. As pilot, you read it back accurately, enter the hold as cleared, and remain there until further clearance or the instructed time to leave.