Definition
One of three sectors around a holding fix (direct, parallel, or teardrop) that determines which entry procedure a pilot uses to join a holding pattern, based on the aircraft's inbound heading relative to the holding course.
Plain English
An area around the holding fix that tells the pilot which method to use when first entering the holding pattern. The area you arrive from decides whether you fly straight in, swing out parallel to the inbound leg, or angle in on a teardrop.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach course reversals, especially when studying how a procedure turn or similar reversal is entered and kept inside protected airspace.
Why Pilots Care
Starting outside the entry zone can result in an improper intercept angle or loss of protected airspace during the reversal.
Intuition Check
Do not read entry zone as any place where you are allowed to enter the approach. Here it means the specific protected area used to start the published course-reversal maneuver.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the fix from the northwest on a southbound holding course, the pilot determined the heading fell within the teardrop entry zone and planned the entry accordingly.
Example Sentence 2
Approach charts mark the entry zone boundaries so pilots know exactly where to start the course reversal.