Definition
A procedure in which an aircraft gains altitude while flying a published holding pattern, used when terrain, obstacles, or airspace prevent a straight climb after departure or during a missed approach. The aircraft remains within the protected airspace of the holding pattern until reaching a specified altitude, after which it continues on course.
Plain English
Climbing while flying laps in a holding pattern, instead of climbing in a straight line. The pilot keeps circling in the protected area until high enough to safely continue.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a published procedure or controller instructions require the aircraft to gain altitude while staying near a specific holding point.
Derivation
“Hold” comes from the idea of keeping or remaining in a place. In aviation, a hold means remaining near a specified point by flying a repeated pattern, so “climb in hold” means gaining altitude while staying in that pattern.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps the aircraft inside protected airspace during the altitude change and maintains required separation from other traffic.
Grounding Statement
Picture the aircraft flying the same holding pattern again and again while the altimeter climbs to the required altitude.
Intuition Check
Do not read “hold” as simply waiting in place. In instrument flying, a hold is a specific flight pattern near a specified point, and a climb in hold means climbing while staying in that pattern.
Example Sentence 1
After the missed approach, the chart called for a climb in hold to 5,000 feet before proceeding on course.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot initiated the climb in hold after receiving the new altitude assignment from approach control.