Definition
In a holding pattern, the distance or time flown on the outbound leg — the segment of the racetrack pattern flown away from the holding fix before turning back inbound. At or below 14,000 feet MSL, the standard outbound leg is 1 minute; above 14,000 feet MSL, it is 1 minute and 30 seconds. ATC may assign a specific distance (in nautical miles) instead of a time, in which case DME or GPS is used to measure the leg.
Plain English
How far, or for how long, you fly away from the holding point before turning around to fly back. The standard is 1 minute below 14,000 feet, and 1 minute 30 seconds above that. Sometimes ATC will give you a distance in miles instead.
Context Anchor
Used in ATC holding instructions and in the holding pattern entry and timing shown or described on instrument procedures.
Derivation
“Outbound” means moving away from a point. “Leg” has long been used to mean one segment of a trip. Together, the phrase points to the away-from-the-fix segment of the hold and how long that segment is.
Why Pilots Care
Controls holding pattern size to maintain separation from other aircraft and obstacles.
Grounding Statement
In a hold, you cross the fix, fly away for the assigned time or distance, then turn back toward the fix.
Intuition Check
Do not read “leg” as a physical part or “length” as only distance. In holding, outbound leg length may be given as distance or controlled by timing.
Example Sentence 1
Above 14,000 feet, she flew the outbound leg for 1 minute 30 seconds before starting her turn back toward the fix.
Example Sentence 2
The published holding pattern uses a four-mile outbound leg length at this altitude.