Definition
The lowest altitude prescribed for a holding pattern that ensures navigational signal coverage, communications, and obstacle clearance throughout the entire holding area.
Plain English
The lowest altitude you are allowed to fly while flying a holding pattern at a given location. It is set high enough that you stay clear of terrain and obstacles, can still receive your navigation signals, and can still talk to ATC.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument charts, procedure descriptions, and holding instructions when a pilot may need to wait in a defined holding pattern.
Why Pilots Care
It guarantees safe obstacle clearance while the aircraft maintains position in a hold, protecting the flight during delays or sequencing.
Grounding Statement
Think of it as the floor for that holding pattern: you can be assigned higher, but you should not go lower unless a valid procedure or clearance specifically allows it.
Intuition Check
Minimum does not mean the best altitude or the altitude you will always be assigned. It means the lowest published altitude that still protects obstacle clearance, navigation reception, and communication for that hold.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared to hold at LIMA intersection as published, the pilot leveled off at the minimum holding altitude shown on the chart.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot confirmed the minimum holding altitude on the approach chart before entering the published hold.